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
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 But her patients of various faiths admonished her for not observing the most sacred Jewish holiday. Literary Hub, 14 May 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
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 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
Verb
  • Earlier this week, Scott Agness claimed his press credentials were revoked by the team after his reporting led to the WNBA reprimanding the Fever for not being transparent about Clark’s health status during a game on May 20.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
  • Behind closed doors, ProPublica revealed, the majority-Republican state Supreme Court quashed the commission’s recommendations that two Republican judges who’d admitted to committing egregious conduct violations be publicly reprimanded.
    Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • The islands of Paulau, Yap, and Micronesia were advised to listen to the latest information from officials, the weather service said.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • The multilingual avatar can advise on what to do when your bank certificates of deposit are maturing, for example, or how to manage your children’s college fund.
    Meg Short, Fortune, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • But some within the union have warned that the studios will face little constraint in using AI performers, and have argued for tighter restrictions.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 June 2026
  • Skau warned that as attention turns towards ameliorating the security crisis, resources should not be taken away from addressing the surging humanitarian needs, which include more than 5 million people who do not have enough to eat.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Raman wasn’t endorsed by any of her colleagues on the City Council, and she has been criticized by some community leaders in her district for not paying close enough attention to their concerns.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • The Grand Prix has been criticized as a processional where Saturday hot laps decide the result.
    Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • In turn, these insights can provide comparisons that can teach us more about how our own solar system and Earth formed.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 June 2026
  • In 2006’s Joy in the Hood, Bishop traveled to disadvantaged areas all around Ireland to teach stand-up comedy.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Iran blamed the United States for the escalation.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • The leftist indoctrination in K-12 schools, as well as universities, is largely to blame for the youth vote’s enthusiasm for socialism and communism.
    Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • In his own acceptance speech (via NME), Yorke chided the current state of the music industry and its over-reliance on streaming services and playlists.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2026
  • Diesel seemed to struggle to get through his emotional Cannes speech and at one point playfully chided himself for crying.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 14 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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