objurgation

/ˌɑbdʒərˈɡeɪʃən/

Other forms: objurgations

Objurgation is a harsh reprimand or criticism. A teenager who gets home hours after his midnight curfew can expect objurgation from his angry parents.

When someone receives a severe scolding, that person experiences objurgation. Members of Congress sometimes seem to set themselves up for objurgation from their constituents, and a badly behaving class shouldn't be surprised at the objurgation they get from the teacher. Objurgation has been around since the 1500s, and it comes from the Latin word obiurgationem, "a chiding, reproving, or reproof."

Definitions of objurgation

1. noun

   rebuking a person harshly
   synonyms: chiding, scolding, tongue-lashing

   types:

   wig, wigging

   British slang for a scolding

   type of:

   rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval

   an act or expression of criticism and censure