Synonym Chooser

How does the verb admonish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admonish are chide, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

Where would rebuke be a reasonable alternative to admonish?

The words rebuke and admonish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use reprimand instead of admonish?

While in some cases nearly identical to admonish, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

How are the words reproach and chide related as synonyms of admonish?

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

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

When is reprove a more appropriate choice than admonish?

The words reprove and admonish can be used in similar contexts, but 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 admonish But the report, through analysis provided by third-party law enforcement experts, admonished the tactics and actions surrounding the shooting. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 June 2025 Lucas admonished employers to review their DEI policies and eliminate those that may violate Title VII’s ban on discrimination against majority and minority employees alike. Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025 Habba's office moved to dismiss its case against Baraka, though prosecutors in a May 21 hearing were admonished by the federal judge assigned to Baraka's case who said the charges against him appeared to be rushed and based on politics. Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 3 June 2025 After the match, Galaxy coach Greg Vanney gathered his players near the center circle and appeared to admonish them in front of the celebratory Red Bull crowd. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
Verb
  • Dan Baltic, a co-founder in New Ritual Press and one of tonight’s readers, remembers being reprimanded in 2019 in a writing workshop by a woman who was appalled by the alt-right protagonist of his debut novel, Nutcrankr.
    John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
  • Though city reprimanded the protesters, the group dissolved shortly after.
    Calista Oetama July 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that children do not use fireworks, including sparklers.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
  • The Context Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva, who went by Diogo Jota, and his brother André died on Thursday while driving from Spain to England after a doctor advised them not to fly after Jota received minor lung surgery.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Paul Krugman has referred to deficit hawks as ‘deficit scolds’, because the spend more time warning about the dangers of the deficit than fixing it.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Musk and Gor reportedly clashed in Cabinet meetings where Musk scolded Gor over personnel disagreements in recent months.
    Ally Goelz, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Conventional wisdom has long warned business leaders against straying from your core.
    Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The Senate package would roll back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits, which Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • At a time when establishing clarity of first principles has never been more urgent, UF’s law school practically dared anyone to criticize the award for whitewashing the Constitution.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Environmental groups lobbied for the 8.3% increase versus something higher, but also criticized the water authority for not solving its problems sooner.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Prior to receiving any money, all participants will go through a series of eight financial literacy classes that will teach skills like budgeting, investing, and long-term financial planning.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
  • But some have raised safety concerns, highlighting that bans could prevent students from contacting family members during an emergency, and argue that promoting healthier device use could better teach children to manage their screen time.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Chemical residue can be a primary cause of stiff towels and products like fabric softener can often be to blame.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
  • Was the project doomed by the economic realities of globalization, the competitive landscape in the smartphone business, or were Google’s shifting corporate priorities ultimately to blame?
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • While many commenters agree that the name is not their favorite, some are also chiding the man for not being honest sooner.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 6 July 2025
  • Newsom had declined to include new funding in his spending plans and chided local leaders for ever-present homeless encampments on city streets.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on admonish

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!