What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reprimanded
Example
The employee was reprimanded by the manager for being late to work. [reprimanded: verb]
Example
He received a reprimand for his inappropriate behavior during the meeting. [reprimand: noun]
scold
Example
She scolded her son for not doing his homework. [scolded: verb]
Example
The teacher gave the student a scolding for disrupting the class. [scolding: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scold is more commonly used than reprimanded in everyday language. Scold is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reprimanded is less common and typically used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reprimanded and scold?
Reprimanded is more formal and professional than scold, which is more informal and can be used in casual or everyday situations.