admonition

noun

ad·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌad-mə-ˈni-shən 

1

: gentle or friendly reproof

remembered the admonition to keep it simple

2

: counsel or warning against fault or oversight

the principal's admonition against bullying

Synonyms of admonition

• advice

Examples of admonition in a Sentence

an admonition to be careful

He offered words of advice and admonition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Commencement season puts Faust’s admonitions to the test. —Austin Sarat, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026

While my spirit was drawn towards the heavens, yet my aunt’s admonitions weighed me down. —Literary Hub, 28 May 2026

Most who try, though, end up offering this simple structure, often involving an expletive and an inflection that nearly crosses the vocal threshold from overwhelming admiration into admonition. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 May 2026

Healy didn’t hesitate to use her own triumph as the basis of an admonition. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ammonicioun, admonicioun, borrowed from Anglo-French amonicion, borrowed from Latin admonitiōn-, admonitiō, from admoni- (variant stem of admonēre "to admonish") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for admonition

• abolition
• acquisition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition
• deposition

Kids Definition

admonition

noun

ad·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌad-mə-ˈnish-ən 

: a gentle or friendly criticism or warning