Example sentences:  

Ramayana: Incensed on seeing his beloved Lanka up in flames, Ravana excoriated his followers for having let Hanuman slip away. 

Mahabharata: Shocked on hearing Duryodhana’s scheme to arrest Krishna, Bhishma excoriated the prince for his viciousness and foolishness. 

Bhagavad-gita: When Arjuna refused to fight, Krishna chose not to excoriate Arjuna for cowardice, but to educate him about his ultimate duty.