Outscolds

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To express criticism more forcefully than another individual in a situation of reprimanding someone
2. To convey disapproval with a higher intensity than that of a competing disapprover
3. Delivers a stronger or more severe scolding than someone else in a shared context

Etymology: "Outscolds" is a plain English formation: the prefix "out-", meaning "more than" or "surpassing," attached to "scold." The verb "scold" itself is much older and has a more colorful past. It came into Middle English from Old Norse roots related to "skald," a word for a poet, and at first it could mean a rough, abusive person of either sex, usually a woman in later usage. Only gradually did it narrow to the act of rebuking someone angrily. The prefix "out-" works the same way in many verbs. "Outrun," "outshine," and "outwit" all mean doing something more or better than someone else, and "outscold" follows that pattern exactly. The sense is competitive: two people are both disapproving, and one of them does it louder, longer, or more forcefully than the other.

Synonyms: rebukes, reprimands, chides, admonishes, scolds

Antonyms: praises, compliments, approves, endorses, lauds