Words / C2

lam-BAYST/læmˈbeɪst/

To lambaste is to criticise someone or something severely: lambaste the board, lambasted in the press. To criticise (already in the dictionary) is everyday fault-finding; to castigate and to excoriate (already in the dictionary) are formal severe rebukes — the close twins. This batch: to inveigh is to rail against a thing, of hostility more than of a dressing-down. Praise (already in the dictionary) and an encomium (already in the dictionary) are the opposite flavour. A corridor scolding is theatre.

Meaning

To criticise someone or something severely.

Examples

• “Lambaste the empty cell in writing; a corridor scolding is theatre.”
• “To criticise is everyday fault-finding (already in B2). To castigate is to rebuke harshly (already in C2). To excoriate is to criticise severely (already in C2). To inveigh is to rail against (this batch). Praise is approval (already in B2). An encomium is formal high praise (already in C2) — the contrast. A dated objection can still be sharp. Heat in the stairwell is not a record. Put the empty cell in the minutes; then the thunder.”

Good to know

Rebuke harshly. Everyday: criticise (already in this dictionary). Close: castigate / excoriate (already in C2). This batch: inveigh. Contrast: praise / encomium (already in this dictionary). A scolding ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

castigate, berate, excoriate, rebuke

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