reprimand 1 of 2

reprimand

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprimand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprimand are admonish, chide, rebuke, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

Where would admonish be a reasonable alternative to reprimand?

The synonyms admonish and reprimand are sometimes interchangeable, but admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would rebuke be a good substitute for reprimand?

Although the words rebuke and reprimand have much in common, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of reprimand?

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

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

In what contexts can reprove take the place of reprimand?

The meanings of reprove and reprimand largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

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 reprimand
Noun
About half of the claims in the documents were substantiated by top-level investigators, meaning they were affirmed and led to some sort of reprimand – up to firing and a bar from re-enlistment. Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 Her government sought to intimidate critical journalists and moved to replace top officials at Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, earning a public reprimand from the European Commission for restricting the media’s independence. Nathalie Tocci, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Vientos told reporters on Wednesday that he wasn’t just reprimanded by his manager, Carlos Mendoza, but also team captain Francisco Lindor and first base coach Antoan Richardson after the game for not running hard on the groundout. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025 She was publicly reprimanded and placed on probation for three years in 2015 and admonished in 2016, the opinion states. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reprimand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprimand
Noun
  • The latest attack sparked outrage and drew international condemnation, including from U.S. President Donald Trump.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The time for condemnation is over, Denmark's representative, Christina Markus Lassen, said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The White House was reprimanded: A federal judge scolded the Trump administration for failing to try to return the man.
    Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
  • In Congress, Trump’s Tariff Pullback Sparks Relief, Frustration, and Suspicion At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.
    Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The judge declined the Menendez team’s request for the DA to be admonished for showing the crime photos, but asked both sides to provide warning.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Democratic strategist and pundit James Carville admonished Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and other progressives who have argued the Democratic Party needs radical change in order to beat Republicans in coming elections.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Cornyn was later booed at the Texas GOP convention that year and the Collin County GOP voted to censure him.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The hearing was ultimately scheduled for May 13 by a unanimous vote, including a provision that the council consider censuring Barber at the hearing.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Conor Heffernan, who lectures on the history of sports and fitness at Ulster University, in Ireland, said the current vogue for biohacking, and its protein boosterism, reeks of snake oil.
    Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Her quotidian life was lecturing at a college in Aberdeen, close to where she was born, and the travel and mountaineering a teacher’s schedule enables.
    Sadie Stein, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Summary Stop blaming the algorithm for slow LinkedIn growth.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Duffy should listen to the lawyers, but instead the Trump Department of Justice has transferred the handling of the congestion price litigation from New York lawyers to some in D.C., blaming the SDNY for intentionally sabotaging the case in filing the letter where it could be seen by all.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Detroit doesn’t just punish defensive miscues in the half court.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There was the infamous time McMahon punished Triple H for hugging Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Shawn Michaels in the center of the ring at a house show, breaking kayfabe when this was something wrestlers didn't do.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • She was criticized by some for her expensive timepiece and for using prisoners as production props.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Those signings by Guerin were, at the time, criticized as being premature.
    Joe Smith, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reprimand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprimand. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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