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
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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
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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
Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
Many people flooded the comments with support for California gubernatorial front-runner Xavier Becerra while admonishing Espina, accusing him of being a traitor for endorsing Tom Steyer.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Tisch lauded her officers for taking action while admonishing the dangers of violent crime.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 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
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
The other night Charles Barkley was admonishing people to stop wringing their hands about the Thunder being too physical with Wembanyama.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
Many people flooded the comments with support for California gubernatorial front-runner Xavier Becerra while admonishing Espina, accusing him of being a traitor for endorsing Tom Steyer.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Tisch lauded her officers for taking action while admonishing the dangers of violent crime.
—Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 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
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
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If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Hart was reprimanding Ross for doing what is the most offensive thing a comedian can do — suck up to the most important person in the room — and enforcing an old ethic in comedy, which is not apologizing for your jokes.—
Robert Lynch,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What players should know The Hoosier Lottery has added a disclaimer to the game's webpage advising players who wish to file a complaint or protest regarding a ticket to complete a formal claim form or contact lottery officials directly.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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As mentor, the Ami founder will guide the Grand Prize and Special Prize winners over the course of a year, advising on both creative direction and business strategy.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 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
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After teaching at Bard College for over two decades, Sante has retired from academia and lives in Kingston, New York.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Jacob is also part of a culinary class that gives back to the community by teaching older adults how to use new technology at a local senior center.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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In March, Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in a letter to the State Department criticizing the administration’s lack of preparation in terms of evacuating Americans and pressing for answers on its response.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
The agreement was immediately challenged in Kenya’s High Court, with opponents criticizing it for unfavorable terms.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The headline-splashing arrest came after LaBeouf claimed to be sober, blaming past abusive behavior on alcoholism.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
Frustration, because too much of the public conversation defaults toward blaming parents while failing to grapple honestly with the cultural shift in our society that is shaping these gatherings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
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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 9 Jun. 2026.
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