RE-PROVE Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'reprove' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprove are admonish , chide , rebuke , reprimand , and reproach . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

Q: When is 'admonish' a more appropriate choice than 'reprove'?

While the synonyms admonish and reprove are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: In what contexts can 'rebuke' take the place of 'reprove'?

The synonyms rebuke and reprove are sometimes interchangeable, but rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reprimand' instead of 'reprove'?

The meanings of reprimand and reprove largely overlap; however, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: How do 'reproach' and 'chide' relate to one another, in the sense of 'reprove'?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

reprove

verb

ri-ˈprüv

Definition of reprove

as in to admonish

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dislike

to hold an unfavorable opinion of the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprove contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprove are admonish, chide, rebuke, reprimand, and reproach. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

When is admonish a more appropriate choice than reprove?

While the synonyms admonish and reprove are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

In what contexts can rebuke take the place of reprove?

The synonyms rebuke and reprove are sometimes interchangeable, but rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use reprimand instead of reprove?

The meanings of reprimand and reprove largely overlap; however, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of reprove?

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

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

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 reprove Who has changed their name and has to reprove their identity? — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence. — Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024 Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis. — Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023 In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church. — Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023 Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate. — Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove

Verb

The judge overseeing the wrongful death civil case that John O'Keefe's family filed against Karen Read admonished more than a dozen lawyers involved in the case on Wednesday.

— Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Regardless, this issue could have resolved if the Giants had issued a statement straight away either defending their players’ First Amendment right to express their views or admonishing them for violating the term of the CBA.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

He has been accused of vote trading and threatening recalls against his colleagues and was censured twice by the council.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026
Three years later, censured by his Senate colleagues, ostracized by his party, and ignored by the press, McCarthy drank himself to death, a broken man at the age of 48.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

According to state records, Tolliver was reprimanded by the state’s Education Practices Commission and given two years of probation from teaching in 2012.

— Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
The Israeli soldier who physically assaulted a CNN photojournalist in March was formally reprimanded by his commanders for his use of force but faces no criminal charges in the matter, the Israeli military said Monday.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Speakers also explored the intersection between faith and democratic values, condemning discriminatory law enforcement practices and cutbacks of voting rights.

— Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
In March, Ben Saul, UN special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, condemned both US and Iranian threats to target civilian energy infrastructure.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

His past medical reports have been criticized for offering limited detail and including statistics that some health professionals have viewed with skepticism.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
During the Democratic state convention in Corpus Christi last month, the Democratic candidate for governor, Gina Hinojosa, criticized Abbott.

— Jack Fink, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Remake includes footage of Adrian urging his father to consider Carr’s offer, and gently scolding him for having passed up certain opportunities to make money—money that would have made the family's life better—off his filmmaking acumen.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
In February, a California judge reportedly scolded Meta’s own lawyers for wearing the smart glasses in court.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

The blaze comes amid Western Europe’s third punishing heat wave this summer, fueling deadly fires in Spain and France and underscoring scientists’ findings that the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average.

— Sergio Rodrigo, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Acts of kindness are few and far between in the punishing Myanmar textile factory where young San Kyi (Nandar Myat Aung) makes a meager living, hunched over a sewing machine.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of punish

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“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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