Chides

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /t͡ʃaɪdz/

Definitions

1. Expresses mild disapproval or criticism towards someone for their behavior
2. Reprimands or faults someone, usually gently or mildly, for a mistake or fault
3. Chastises or reproves a person to point out a wrongdoing or discourage a fault

Etymology: "Chides" is the third-person singular form of "chide", so it describes the same act of gently scolding, just in the present tense with a subject like "she" or "he". The verb itself comes down from Old English "ċīdan", which meant much more than a mild telling-off: it could mean to reprove or rebuke, but also to blame, to contend, to strive, or to quarrel outright. Middle English "chiden" kept that broad range, covering complaint, grumbling and even argument, so the modern soft sense is a narrowing of a word that once carried real conflict. The German cognate "kiden", meaning "to sound", hints at an older picture in which the word was tied to making a noise, though the connection is only a relative and not a clear path from sound to scolding. Old High German "kīdal", meaning "wedge", is a separate word in the same family, and the link between them is not something the record settles.

Synonyms: rebukes, scolds, reprimands, admonishes, criticizes

Antonyms: praises, approves, lauds, commends