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

• adjuration
• admonishment
• advice
• counsel
• guidance
• input

Examples of admonition in a Sentence

an admonition to be careful

He offered words of advice and admonition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thucydides offers not a theory of international politics, but a warning — an admonition to leaders who, gripped by their own narratives, drive their nations over a cliff. —Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025

However, this admonition is just as relevant in the world of radio communications. —Paul Lipman, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Elon Musk and some conservatives on Capitol Hill are not heeding an admonition this week from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and continue to wield political arguments while calling for impeachment of federal judges. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 20 Mar. 2025

On Sundays, the help’s day off, her mother handed her over to her father with an admonition: Do something with her. —Barry Singer, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2025

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