reads the riot act (to)
phrase
as in lectures
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings The officer read the riot act to her for speeding in a school zone. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lectures
- scolds
- calls down
- dresses down
- reprimands
- bawls out
- keelhauls
- chews out
- rails (at or against)
- rants (at)
- criticizes
- lays into
- blames
- rags
- reams (out)
- tongue-lashes
- rates
- berates
- upbraids
- jaws
- reproaches
- scores
- takes to task
- chastises
- attacks
- lambastes
- hammers
- admonishes
- bastes
- lambasts
- mocks
- faults
- rebukes
- reprehends
- castigates
- flays
- remonstrates (with)
- vituperates
- pans
- lashes
- slams
- crucifies
- chides
- condemns
- puts down
- harangues
- denounces
- reproves
- excoriates
- censures
- abuses
- knocks
- reviles
- scourges
- blasts
- assails
- belittles
- laces (into)
- ridicules
- disparages
- bad-mouths
- scoffs
- disses
- scorns
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indorses
- approves
- sanctions
- endorses
- extols
- praises
- lauds
- extolls