Synonyms of admonish

admonish 1 of 3

verb (1)

ad-ˈmä-nish 

1

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault

admonished her for littering

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reprimand
• scold
• criticize
• blame
• chide
• reprove
• rebuke
• fault
• get on
• reproach
• get after
• condemn
• berate
• upbraid
• mock
• tick off
• castigate
• excoriate
• harangue
• censure
• crucify
• lambaste
• denounce
• disparage
• assail
• rail (at or against)
• minimize
• lecture
• burn one's ears
• reprehend
• flay
• belittle
• attack
• knock
• chew out
• jaw
• deride
• dress down
• bad-mouth
• ridicule
• lash
• deprecate
• keelhaul
• scoff
• slam
• pan
• rate
• abuse
• scorn
• score
• blast
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• OK
• applaud
• salute
• praise
• extol
• hail
• laud
• tout

2

as in to advise

to give advice to

my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advise
• warn
• teach
• tell
• convince
• encourage
• counsel
• inform
• adjure
• urge
• persuade
• caution
• alert
• instruct
• guide
• coach
• forewarn
• beg
• mentor
• clue (in)
• exhort
• steer
• wise (up)
• induce
• recommend
• fill in
• suggest
• implore
• familiarize
• apprise
• talk (into)
• lead
• propose
• acquaint
• show
• prevail (upon)
• brief
• shepherd
• pilot
• direct
• tutor

admonishing

2 of 3

adjective

ad-ˈmä-ni-shiŋ 

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

• warning
• admonitory
• cautionary
• cautioning
• punitive
• monitory
• premonitory
• exemplary
• didactic
• moralistic
• advisory
• moralizing
• punishing
• counseling

admonishing

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of admonish

1

as in reprimanding

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault

admonished her for littering

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reprimanding
• scolding
• criticizing
• blaming
• chiding
• rebuking
• reproving
• reproaching
• mocking
• faulting
• berating
• condemning
• upbraiding
• getting on
• lecturing
• getting after
• ticking off
• haranguing
• attacking
• castigating
• censuring
• lambasting
• denouncing
• crucifying
• excoriating
• knocking
• ridiculing
• assailing
• burning one's ears
• disparaging
• slamming
• jawing
• belittling
• minimizing
• flaying
• lashing
• deriding
• panning
• dressing down
• chewing out
• blasting
• abusing
• railing (at or against)
• bad-mouthing
• scoffing
• keelhauling
• scoring
• deprecating
• scorning
• rating
• reprehending
• dissing
• putting down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• endorsing
• sanctioning
• praising
• applauding
• extolling
• saluting
• lauding
• hailing
• touting
• OK'ing

2

as in advising

to give advice to

my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

Synonyms & Similar Words

• advising
• warning
• teaching
• telling
• informing
• encouraging
• convincing
• cautioning
• urging
• counseling
• adjuring
• coaching
• alerting
• guiding
• persuading
• instructing
• exhorting
• imploring
• begging
• shepherding
• briefing
• mentoring
• forewarning
• leading
• showing
• inducing
• suggesting
• steering
• recommending
• familiarizing
• filling in
• apprising
• directing
• talking (into)
• proposing
• tutoring
• acquainting
• piloting
• prevailing (upon)
• clueing (in)
• wising (up)

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

Recent Examples of admonish

Verb

Eric Chinje, who leads the Project Cameroon diaspora democracy group, said the pope might steer clear of trying to admonish those determined to stay in power at all costs, referring to Biya’s long rule. —ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

After being admonished by the judge, Terry Rose listens as he is sentenced to 40 years in prison. —Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 12 Apr. 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

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

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