1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in to dislike
to hold an unfavorable opinion of
the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
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
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
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
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
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
-
But high motor needs to be an every-night-thing, not only a response when admonished by the coach.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Warning shared, and I’ve been gingerly admonished.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Peery has been censured by a Commission of Presbytery.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The move to essentially censure Baz’s body inflamed an already contentious debate about the public scrutiny over women’s bodies.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Here’s a look at more interesting likes and dislikes Payton’s outlined at the podium in his time on the Front Range.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Geier, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology, has also been reprimanded by the Maryland Board of Physicians for practicing medicine without a medical license.—
Sarah Owermohle,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Plaza was later reprimanded by showrunner Michael Schur for taking the notes.—
Daysia Tolentino,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Prevost also condemned popular culture, societal, and media efforts that went against Catholicism and promoted the acceptance of homosexual relationships.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Sep. 2025
-
While condemning Hamas, Nadler reiterated his support for a two-state Palestinian solution, while rejecting claims that Israel is committing genocide.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wall Street analysts also criticized the rapid shift in permanent leadership at Nestle.—
Chloe Taylor,Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Some have criticized the use of local and state police for federal work.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At dinner, while the new wife served beef Stroganoff or lemon Jell-O with mandarin oranges, my father would scold me about my new friends and my falling grades.—
Richard Siken
August 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Halfway through his sentence, the president stopped to scold the disrupter.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
All three have been either punished for domestic PSR breaches or remain subject to charges.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share