1. Hot SAT Words
You Are in Trouble!

2. You should NOT have done that!
Criticizing
Disapproving
Scolding
You should NOT have done that!

3. BERATE
Vb. To rebuke or scold in a harsh tone

4. BERATE
Her parents often BERATED her, but when the scoldings took place in front of her friends, Lulu was humiliated!

5. Vb. To scold or punish severely
CASTIGATE

6. CASTIGATE
The policeman not only issued him a ticket, but CASTIGATED him for passing a stopped school bus.

7. Don’t confuse “CASTIGATE” with…

8. Vb. To criticize strongly
CENSURE

9. CENSURE
For harassing his secretary, Mr. Packwood was CENSURED, but not fired, from his job.

10. “CENSURED”
NOT to be confused with
“CENSORED”

11. This example is

12. Vb. To punish or scold harshly.
CHASTISE

13. CHASTISE
I was CHASTISED for driving the car across the golf course.

14. Vb. To show mild disapproval
DEPRECATE
Vb. To
show mild disapproval

15. DEPRECATE
Although I tried very hard this semester, Mrs. Shivers didn’t think I tried hard enough and DEPRECATED my efforts to improve.

16. Vb. To oppose or attack someone or something as false or refutable
IMPUGN
Vb. To oppose or attack someone or something as false or refutable

17. IMPUGN
The scandal IMPUGNED the reputation of the judge.

18. This sign IMPUGNS your intelligence

19. Vb. To snub; to bluntly refuse
REBUFF
Vb. To snub; to bluntly refuse

20. REBUFF Grant’s initial request for a raise was . However,
he got the money
the second time he asked.

21. Vb. To reprimand sharply; N. a sharp reprimand
REBUKE
Vb. To reprimand sharply; N. a sharp reprimand

22. REBUKE
Sarah continued to bite her nails in spite of her mother’s repeated REBUKES.

23. Vb. To speak in a disapproving manner; to scold
REPROVE
Vb. To speak in a disapproving manner; to scold

24. REPROVE
Mrs. Shivers said REPROVINGLY, “You may have a great explanation, but there IS no excuse for failing to do your work!”

25. Vb. To chide; to scold bitterly
UPBRAID
Vb. To chide; to scold bitterly

26. UPBRAID
Vb. Mrs. Shivers UPBRAIDED the class for scoring poorly on the practice PSAT test.