rebuke

1 of 3

verb

re·​buke ri-ˈbyük 

rebuked; rebuking

transitive verb

1

a

: to criticize sharply : reprimand

b

: to serve as a rebuke to

2

archaic : to turn back or keep down : check

rebuker noun

rebuke

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an expression of strong disapproval : reprimand

rebuker

3 of 3

noun (2)

re·​buk·​er

-kə(r)

plural -s

: one that rebukes

able to recall that no one was more mischievous than their rebuker in his own youth

—A. D. Rees

Synonyms of rebuke

Verb

• reprimand
• admonish
• scold
• criticize
• blame

Noun (1)

• condemnation
• reprimand
• censure

Choose the Right Synonym for rebuke

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely.

reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

Examples of rebuke in a Sentence

Verb

the father was forced to rebuke his son for the spendthrift ways he had adopted since arriving at college

strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches

Noun (1)

delivered a stinging rebuke to the Congress, calling for an end to backstabbing and arguing

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The pope has fiercely criticized joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and rebuked world leaders for invoking religious language to rationalize war and voiced opposition to the administration’s immigration crackdown. —Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026

Last year, however, Warsh voiced support for lower interest rates, rebuking the Fed's concern about inflation risk posed by a flurry of new tariffs. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 June 2026

Noun

The non-inclusion of the church among other Christian denominations created a backlash on social media and drew strong rebukes from Mormon members of Congress who urged the Pentagon to update the list. —Luis Martinez, ABC News, 8 June 2026

Nowhere have such spats been more ironic than in Vance’s rebuke of the pope. —Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, from rebuken to rebuke + -er

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rebuke

• archduke
• caoutchouc
• fluke
• juke
• kook
• luc
• luke
• nuke
• puke
• souk
• spook

Kids Definition

rebuke

1 of 2 verb

re·​buke ri-ˈbyük 

rebuked; rebuking

: to criticize sharply

rebuke

2 of 2 noun

: an expression of strong disapproval