Abuse
Abuse verb - To criticize harshly and usually publicly.
Usage example: a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides
Scold is a synonym for abuse in insult topic. In some cases you can use "Scold" instead a verb "Abuse", when it comes to topics like berate, attack with words.
Scold
Scold verb - To criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings.
Usage example: he scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they had made in the kitchen
Abuse is a synonym for scold in berate topic. You can use "Abuse" instead a verb "Scold", if it concerns topics such as find fault with.
Both words in one sentence
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Relationship Values: Fiona can praise or scold Hewie, and too much abuse can cause the dog to be totally apathetic toward Fiona.
Source: Video Game / Haunting Ground - The Adventures of Pinocchio features these tropes: Abuse Mistake: When Pinocchio escapes after being created, Geppetto is mistaken for an abusive dad, but he only wants to catch his son to scold him.
Cite this Source
Scold and Abuse. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/abuse/scold
Abuse & Scold. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/abuse/scold>.
Scold or Abuse. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/abuse/scold.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "abuse" and "scold" have occurred on timeline