lambaste

Definition

To scold, reprimand or criticize harshly.

Etymology

First attested in 1637. Probably lam (“beat”) + baste (“beat”)

Example Sentences

• "The sergeant lambasted the new recruits daily."
• "Her first novel was well and truly lambasted by the critics."
• "It braces the talk not only of pundits, but of all the major Republican candidates - from the tough guy at one end, Rudy Giuliani, who lambastes Democrats for not using the word or its equivalent, to the "nice" candidate at the other end, Mike Huckabee, who defines Islamofascism as "the greatest threat this country [has] ever faced.""