rebuke

rih-BYOOKverb

Meaning to scold someone sharply

Memory hook RE-BOOK: the BOOKS fell AGAIN. When Kai knocks the books off the shelf a second time, the librarian snaps, “Not again, young man!” She rebukes him sharply.

The lifeguard rebuked the boys for running on the wet deck.

In context Instead of praising her for finishing early, the teacher rebuked her for rushing, pointing to three careless mistakes on the first page.

Similar scold, reprove, reprimand, upbraid

Opposite praise, compliment, commend