took to task
phrase
1
as in criticized
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of He took his rival to task during the TV interview. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- criticized
- blamed
- condemned
- knocked
- faulted
- denounced
- attacked
- dispraised
- slammed
- tweaked
- came down hard (on)
- scolded
- panned
- found fault (with)
- slagged
- complained
- censured
- kicked
- slashed
- reprehended
- dissed
- blasted
- lashed
- muttered
- admonished
- murmured
- assailed
- grumbled
- whined
- caviled
- discommended
- moaned
- skewered
- growled
- nicked (at)
- bitched
- clobbered
- beefed
- sniped (at)
- groused
- niggled
- quibbled
- disparaged
- reprimanded
- crucified
- kvetched
- chid
- excoriated
- griped
- upbraided
- berated
- rebuked
- bellyached
- derided
- crabbed
- put down
- keelhauled
- croaked
- decried
- lambasted
- drubbed
- carped
- flayed
- belittled
- reproached
- cavilled
- gibbeted
- reproved
- pilloried
- hammered
- chided
- fussed
- castigated
- bad-mouthed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- praised
- recommended
- approved
- extolled
- endorsed
- lauded
- sanctioned
- commended
- indorsed
2
as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings He took the landscaper to task for once again letting the bushes get overgrown. Synonyms & Similar Words
- scolded
- reprimanded
- lectured
- chewed out
- laid into
- bawled out
- criticized
- blamed
- called down
- ragged
- admonished
- attacked
- reamed (out)
- tongue-lashed
- dressed down
- railed (at or against)
- ranted (at)
- upbraided
- chastised
- keelhauled
- mocked
- berated
- scored
- rated
- lambasted
- rebuked
- read the riot act (to)
- flayed
- faulted
- basted
- jawed
- reproached
- hammered
- castigated
- slammed
- knocked
- reviled
- condemned
- remonstrated (with)
- disparaged
- chid
- crucified
- abused
- blasted
- assailed
- excoriated
- scoffed
- ridiculed
- vituperated
- denounced
- lashed
- panned
- put down
- censured
- harangued
- reproved
- chided
- scourged
- belittled
- dissed
- reprehended
- bad-mouthed
- scorned
- laced (into)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approved
- endorsed
- sanctioned
- praised
- indorsed
- extolled
- lauded