admonishes; admonished; admonishing
formal
1
: to speak to (someone) in a way that expresses disapproval or criticism
—often + for
His mother admonished him for shouting.
We were admonished for arriving late.
2
: to tell or urge (someone) to do something
She admonished [=urged] them to keep trying.
They admonished [=encouraged] her to control her spending.
They were admonished to take advantage of the opportunity.
Cite this Entry
“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/admonish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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