rebuke

¹re·buke

verb \ri-ˈbyük\

re·bukedre·buk·ing

Definition of REBUKE

transitive verb

1

a : to criticize sharply : reprimand b : to serve as a rebuke to

2

: to turn back or keep down : check

— re·buk·er noun

Examples of REBUKE

1. <the father was forced to rebuke his son for the spendthrift ways he had adopted since arriving at college>
2. <strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches>

Origin of REBUKE

Middle English, from Anglo-French rebucher, rebouker to blunt, check, reprimand

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REBUKE

Synonyms: admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, reprove, tick off, burn one's ears, get after, get on

Antonyms: cite, commend, endorse (also indorse)

Related Words: berate, castigate, chew out, dress down, flay, harangue, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rail (at or against), rate, scold, score, upbraid; abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], excoriate, fault, knock, lash, pan, reprehend, slam; belittle, deprecate, disparage, minimize, mock, put down; deride, ridicule, scoff, scorn

Near Antonyms: approve, endorse (also indorse), OK (or okay), sanction; applaud, extol (also extoll), hail, laud, praise, salute, tout

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at reprove

Rhymes with REBUKE

archduke, blood fluke, caoutchouc, chibouk, Chinook, Dubuque, grand duke, Kirkuk, Mamluk, peruke, Seljuk, Shilluk