rebuke

1 of 2

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 2

noun

: an expression of strong disapproval : reprimand

Synonyms

Verb

• reprimand
• admonish
• scold
• criticize
• blame

Noun

• 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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

An homage to millions of anonymous victims, the work implicitly rebukes the nearby figurative sculptures of slaveholders. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025

Anthropic has rebuked federal government efforts to preempt state-level oversight of AI — a notably different stance than that of OpenAI, which has pushed for less regulation. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025

Noun

The texts drew rebuke from Republican senators, prompting him to withdraw his nomination on Tuesday. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

The emails show the extent to which top officials were blindsided by the scope of the deficit and include an angry rebuke from the County Executive David Crowley's office. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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