What is the meaning of lambast?

verb

• Beat with a cane.
  • synonyms: cane, flog, lambaste
• Censure severely or angrily.
  • usage: "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup"
  • synonyms: call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste