What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excoriated
Example
The coach excoriated the team for their poor performance. [excoriated: verb]
Example
The article excoriated the politician for his unethical behavior. [excoriated: verb]
scold
Example
My mother scolded me for not doing my homework. [scolded: verb]
Example
The teacher scolded the students for talking during class. [scolded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scold is more commonly used than excoriate in everyday language. Scold is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while excoriate is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excoriated and scold?
Excoriate is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while scold is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.