as in warning
serving as or offering a warning
shot an admonishing glance at me just as I was about to spill the beans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in reprimanding
to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault
admonished her for littering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in advising
to give advice to
my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of admonishing
Brock Keeling, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Oct. 2022
Rose protests the admonishing tone, confidently signaling that the French are no better than her.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022
And what happened on Tuesday was this: In key states and races -- from Virginia to New Jersey to Long Island -- voters leaned toward Republicans, rejecting -- or at least admonishing -- Democrats up to and including President Joe Biden.
—Chris Cillizza, CNN, 4 Nov. 2021
But articles also popped up admonishing parents for writing about their kids at all.
—Heather Lanier, Longreads, 4 Mar. 2021
Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The outlet reported that the mother of Jamieson’s child spoke out in court, admonishing him for the violent attack on their daughter last January.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
These ridiculous charges led Swifties to bemoan the current political climate, admonishing left-leaning commentators for going overboard in their attempts to identify signs of cryptofascism in Swift’s work.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2025
Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro sent a note to staff Friday, thanking them for the work and continued focus, while admonishing YouTube and its parent company Google for the dispute.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Caitlin Clark gave support to fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier, who had referenced Clark when admonishing the league and commissioner Cathy Engelbert in fiery remarks earlier this week.
—Jill Martin, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
One of the most emblematic moments of the week came in the morning session when the camera and microphone caught McIlroy admonishing rowdy fans before a shot.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
The Anti-Defamation League released a statement admonishing Carslon's speech.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
However, support wanes for admonishing recently deceased figures, especially among Republicans.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Nevertheless, Waterbar received an admonishing phone call from team Drake.
—Brock Keeling, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Oct. 2022
Rose protests the admonishing tone, confidently signaling that the French are no better than her.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022
And what happened on Tuesday was this: In key states and races -- from Virginia to New Jersey to Long Island -- voters leaned toward Republicans, rejecting -- or at least admonishing -- Democrats up to and including President Joe Biden.
—Chris Cillizza, CNN, 4 Nov. 2021
But articles also popped up admonishing parents for writing about their kids at all.
—Heather Lanier, Longreads, 4 Mar. 2021
Verb
Parliament Vice President Nicolae Ștefănuță quickly intervened, admonishing the lawmaker for his language and warning of consequences.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The outlet reported that the mother of Jamieson’s child spoke out in court, admonishing him for the violent attack on their daughter last January.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
These ridiculous charges led Swifties to bemoan the current political climate, admonishing left-leaning commentators for going overboard in their attempts to identify signs of cryptofascism in Swift’s work.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2025
Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro sent a note to staff Friday, thanking them for the work and continued focus, while admonishing YouTube and its parent company Google for the dispute.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Caitlin Clark gave support to fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier, who had referenced Clark when admonishing the league and commissioner Cathy Engelbert in fiery remarks earlier this week.
—Jill Martin, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
One of the most emblematic moments of the week came in the morning session when the camera and microphone caught McIlroy admonishing rowdy fans before a shot.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
The Anti-Defamation League released a statement admonishing Carslon's speech.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
However, support wanes for admonishing recently deceased figures, especially among Republicans.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonishing
Adjective
-
The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.—
SCOTT SONNER,
Star Tribune,
27 July 2021
-
In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases.—
Andrew Whitby,
Time,
17 Apr. 2020
Verb
-
Indeed, Ye didn’t say much of anything during the two-hour concert beyond a number of reprimanding comments directed at his stage crew.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Raine Group and JPMorgan Chase are advising the league on the matter.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Applicants must also complete a Small Business Development Center onboarding and advising session and demonstrate a business concept with clear future milestones.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
First, as the Florida ACLU’s Howard Simon points out, Uthmeier is not scolding another branch of government.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson-Swartz was suspended from teaching at STEM School Highlands Ranch after the allegations emerged.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Youth took to the streets to protest schools teaching in the Afrikaans language and the ensuing government crackdown saw hundreds killed.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
It is filled with articles criticizing America’s involvement in overseas wars.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This includes Baldoni requesting his public relations representatives to amplify a video criticizing Lively as insensitive to domestic violence survivors.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
California's Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said the state identified factors behind price spikes, but stopped short of blaming oil companies for price gouging.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But there is no point blaming Tuchel for this.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has already tried to tip the scales in one significant baseball matter, publicly chiding Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball’s commissioner, in the process.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The two have long been political archenemies going back to Trump’s first term, with Pritzker chiding Trump over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic while the president’s supporters have accused the Democratic governor of taking too strict of measures with COVID mitigations.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Admonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonishing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
