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

• advice

Examples of admonition in a Sentence

an admonition to be careful

He offered words of advice and admonition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rob Blanchard, the governor’s communications director, already had announced an end to the press conference, an admonition ignored by the press — and governor. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025

Tens of thousands were expected to march from Daley Plaza and coalesce in defiance and admonition of Trump near the downtown hotel tower bearing his name. —Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025

Although there are few formal guidelines, a consensus has formed around consent when possible, de-identification when not, and adherence to the admonition that the patient’s welfare always comes first. —Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025

The admonition follows a similar warning from three U.S. senators — Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 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