rebuke 1 of 2

rebuke

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuke contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuke are admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use admonish instead of rebuke?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebuke, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would reprimand be a good substitute for rebuke?

The words reprimand and rebuke can be used in similar contexts, but reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

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

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 rebuke?

Although the words reprove and rebuke have much in common, 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 rebuke
Noun
As my colleague Joe Adalian covered in his breakdown of Kimmel’s cancellation, this was enough to trigger a rebuke on Wednesday from FCC chairman Brendan Carr — the man leading the regulator that would review any merger Nexstar would make. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025 His comments later produced a rebuke from Councilmember Jim O’Hara, who said such comments were not helpful. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Routh has been rebuked several times by Cannon after making unexpected and off-topic comments. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025 However, a probate court commissioner in Nevada, where the matter was adjudicated, rebuked the effort, after which Rupert Murdoch had signaled an intent to appeal. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
  • In a wide-ranging interview in Doha, two weeks after surviving an Israeli air-strike on a Hamas compound in the Qatari capital, Ghazi Hamad highlighted growing international condemnation of Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the spate of countries who have recognized Palestinian statehood.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The announcement and the administration's claims have drawn widespread condemnation from medical experts and researchers.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There is a form of right-of-center liberalism that is content with status hierarchies, that is very unhappy with anything that makes people feel reprimanded.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatened networks to reprimand Kimmel.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Chun also scolded attorneys for Amazon in July for withholding thousands of documents from the FTC and abusing a legal privilege to shield them from scrutiny.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On September 18, the House narrowly rejected the resolution to censure Omar over her remarks and social media posts following the assassination of Kirk.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Doctors, lawyers and first responders have been fired, suspended, censured or investigated.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The report admonishes the Alameda County foster care system for ongoing structural deficiencies, including understaffing and poor record-keeping, while also noting that the agency’s plan to address service gaps may still not be enough to bring it up to standard.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The Anti-Defamation League released a statement admonishing Carslon's speech.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kenji lectures on the difference between Japanese static views of ruins versus Western dynamic interpretations and carries the memory of past earthquakes.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The same woman Don had been lecturing about beer.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The backlash was swift, with figures like Senator Ted Cruz condemning the remarks and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatening to scrutinize ABC’s broadcast standards.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The dominoes began to fall originally after Federal Communications Chair Brendan Carr publicly condemned comments Kimmel made in the wake of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's killing.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The outlet said many criticized his behavior, labeling it racist, sexist, or out of touch.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Locally, the response was more complicated, with police frequently criticized for their use of force and tear gas.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!