admonish 1 of 3

Definition of admonishnext

admonishing

2 of 3

adjective

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

admonishing

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of admonish

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
Verb
Stiller responded — but not before Smith was admonished by Shaquille O’Neal, who was also part of the pregame panel and let Smith know that the lifelong Knicks fan had not yet announced his project. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026 The caller stopped a man from shoplifting and admonished him. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
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
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
Verb
  • Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Wimbledon fashion is also something that can get patrons in trouble, with Andy Samberg saying he was reprimanded for wearing black jeans in the Royal Box.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Agriculture regulators advise home gardeners to either consume homegrown produce on site or not move it at all from the property to prevent the spread of the fly to nearby regions.
    Kori McNair, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Republicans have repeatedly echoed the concerns of the Legislative Analyst’s Office — which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters — about the state’s spending.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Justice Barrett actually sounded kind of sharp, almost scolding, in the opinion in her criticism of the assertions made by the plaintiffs and some of the justices in the minority.
    John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The organization warned that as search-and-rescue teams begin to scale back operations, humanitarian needs—particularly food, medical care and protection services—could intensify rather than diminish.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Avila's family sued Tesla last week, alleging her death resulted from the company's gross negligence and failure to warn consumers that its self-driving systems were defective.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • The program posed a massive political problem for Mamdani, who’s been criticized by both his allies and opponents for his stance.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026
  • While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The state’s Holocaust Education Bill, passed in 1994, requires every school district to teach the Holocaust with the explicit aim of building tolerance, nurturing democratic values, and confronting what indifference produces.
    Masha Pearl, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Lyons taught in the island elementary school for more than 20 years, until there were no more students to teach.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Before the earthquakes, the government generally defended its national health system as robust, blaming shortcomings on sanctions imposed by the United States.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • This ruling compels companies to confront systemic biases embedded in their hiring data, rather than solely blaming technology.
    Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The back-and-forth prompted Steiner to send a letter denying Hawley’s claims and chiding him for a lack of civility.
    Jack Harvel July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Trump has previously expressed chided his own appointees for some of their rulings.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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