呵斥 is a formal, slightly literary verb meaning 'to rebuke sharply' or 'to scold sternly', often with an air of authority, impatience, or moral disapproval. The first character 呵 (hē) originally evokes a sharp, breathy vocalization — like a forceful exhalation used to express displeasure — while 斥 (chì) means 'to rebuke' or 'to reprimand', carrying connotations of dismissal or condemnation. Together, they form a compound emphasizing intensity and severity in verbal correction.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving authority figures (e.g., teachers, parents, supervisors) addressing serious misbehavior or negligence. It implies more than mild criticism: it suggests raised voice, visible anger, and a clear power imbalance. While grammatically transitive (requiring an object), it's often followed by the particle 了 or used in past-tense narrative contexts. It appears frequently in written Chinese, news reports, and literature — less so in casual speech, where words like 骂 (mà, 'to curse') or 批评 (pīpíng, 'to criticize') are more common.