to criticize or reprimand severely.

to punish in order to correct.

verb

compliment , laud , praise

verb

baste , bawl out * , beat , berate , blister , cane , censure , chasten , chastise , chew out * , come down on * , correct , criticize , discipline , drag over the coals , dress down * , drub , excoriate , flay , flog , jump down one’s throat , lambaste , lash , lay out * , lean on , penalize , pummel , punish , rail , rate , read the riot act , ream , rebuke , reprimand , scarify , scathe , scold , scorch , scourge , thrash , tongue-lash * , upbraid , whip , admonish , call down , chide , dress down , rap , reproach , reprove , tax , bash , revise , scare , subdue