baste

verb

Definition of bastenext
1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings a tyrannical father who used the dinner hour to baste his children for their many perceived shortcomings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly basted the thief with a stick while he cried out for help

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of baste Uncover, turn the heat to medium-high, and cook, basting the cauliflower occasionally with the sauce, until the cauliflower is tender and the sauce has thickened and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 8 to 10 minutes. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, The Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2025 Place the ham back in the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, basting with additional glaze every 10 minutes. — Peter Burke, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024 Many years ago, long before recognizing the damaging effects of the sun and becoming an SPF obsessive, my holidays would consist of whole afternoons spent basting myself on the beach while covered in oil. — Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2024 Not so readily, however: The researchers cut a black spatula into small pieces and basted them in 320-degree cooking oil for 15 minutes. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for baste
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baste
  1. scold
  2. lick
  3. lecture
  4. hide
  5. reprimand
  6. lash
  7. criticize
  8. whip
Verb
  • Michelle Obama playfully scolded her husband, Barack Obama, on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • According to Smith, James, who approached him in the third quarter during a timeout, scolded him for his commentary regarding his son and teammate, Bronny James.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Being licked by the cows and licking them back is a daily occurrence for her.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Evy was holding an ice cream cone and lowered it so Kinley could lick it.
    — Jordan Greene, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Vance, who lectures U.S. allies about how to run their affairs, reminds us of every rich guy from suburban Pittsburgh who visits the Amalfi Coast in the summer, drives up the pedestrianized streets, and then complains that the pasta is too chewy and there’s no AC in his 15th-century villa.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Obama himself had to lecture black men testily about the need to turn out for Harris, suggesting their reluctance was due to sexism, but Biden’s numbers with this demographic were worse.
    — W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • Risen delivers a marvellous account of the Hiss case, with its many plot twists, involving accusations about a fake typewriter, microfilm hidden in a pumpkin, and the intricacies of ornithology.
    — Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Of course anyone familiar with Cave, whose directorial debut Fresh established her as a filmmaker to watch, will know that Fred, the town’s ophthalmologist, is certainly hiding a secret.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of hide
Verb
  • The controversy is intensifying, with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts having now publicly reprimanded the president after a social media post in which Trump called for the impeachment of Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. — the ...
    — Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • At the time, the House of Representatives, with the Democrats holding the majority, voted to reprimand Wilson, who later issued an apology to Obama.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • So Morris lashed out, sneaking out and breaking into homes, cars, and schools.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • When conflict arises — a toddler might have a tearful tantrum, or an older kid may shout or lash out — a ‘democratic parent’ should be mindful of the fact that there is likely a root cause of the difficult behavior.
    — Miranda Rake, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of lash
Verb
  • Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have sharply criticized the other Supreme Court judges for declining to hear a case called Alabama v. California.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • The moment was so precious that Reed whipped out her phone to take a quick video and later shared it on TikTok.
    — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Blizzards expected in Northern Plains Forecasters warned that heavy snow whipped by powerful winds are likely to make travel treacherous in parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of whip

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“Baste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baste. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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