upbraid — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To criticize severely.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   exprobrateblamecensurecondemnreproach

   Examples

   How much doth thy kindness upbraid my wickedness!

   Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

   More examples (4)

   When Chrysostom was lying on his bier in the valley, and Marcella looked down from the high rock, Ambrosio, the dead man’s comrade, cried out on her, upbraiding her with bitter words—“Oh basilisk of our mountains!” Nor do I think Ambrosio spoke too strongly.

   Indeed, on several occasions, the Bishop of Lincoln was forced to upbraid both abbess and nuns for unseemliness in dress and behaviour.

   Dalio had no qualms about upbraiding a junior employee in front of me and dozens of his colleagues.

   Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance upbraided the president of Ukraine in the Oval Office last Friday, then cut off military aid to the U.S. ally.

2. To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Transitive
   • followed by with or for

   Examples

   Yet do not upbraid us our distress.

   More examples (1)

   Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

3. To treat with contempt.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   There also was that mighty monarch laid, Low under all, yet above all in pride; That name of native fire did foul upbraid, And would, as Ammon's son, be magnify'd.

4. To object or urge as a matter of reproach

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • followed by "to" before the object

   Synonyms

   cast up

   Examples

   Those that have been bred together, are more apt to envy their equals when raised: for it doth upbraid unto them their own fortunes, and pointeth at them.

5. To utter upbraidings.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Intransitive

6. To vomit; retch.

   Usage

   • Northern-England
   • UK usage
   • Archaic
   • dialectal

Noun

1. The act of reproaching; scorn; disdain.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   He was ymet; who with uncomely Shame Gan him salute, and foul upbraid with faulty Blame.

Verb

1. express criticism towards

   Synonyms

   reproach

   Broader terms

   accuseimpeachincriminatecriminate

   Examples

   The president reproached the general for his irresponsible behavior