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rebuke

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuke contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuke are admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use admonish instead of rebuke?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebuke, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would reprimand be a good substitute for rebuke?

The words reprimand and rebuke can be used in similar contexts, but 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 rebuke?

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

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

In what contexts can reprove take the place of rebuke?

Although the words reprove and rebuke have much in common, 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 rebuke
Noun
The occasion earned the former president a harsh rebuke from a top Trump insider. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025 That defiance, Jeffries said, should be met with an aggressive rebuke from the Supreme Court. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
Trump seemed to think Beijing was interested in a deal but Lin rebuked the escalation on Tuesday, and the White House confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that China's additional rate will bring the import tax total to 104% starting after midnight Wednesday. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 LeBron has also fought for his son, accosting ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith at courtside of a recent Lakers game and rebuking him for making his criticism too personal. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
  • The latest attack sparked outrage and drew international condemnation, including from U.S. President Donald Trump.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The time for condemnation is over, Denmark's representative, Christina Markus Lassen, said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rourke was formally reprimanded by the show and ultimately booted from the house.
    Mikelle Street, Them., 23 Apr. 2025
  • And when no one was fired or even reprimanded for the FUBAR, the accountability Hegseth promised had seemingly gone AWOL.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Today's top stories President Trump scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday after Russia launched a deadly strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
  • That, in the end, is the heart of the spectacle of Noem’s militaristic videos and Leavitt’s scolding and lies.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Cornyn was later booed at the Texas GOP convention that year and the Collin County GOP voted to censure him.
    Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
  • The hearing was ultimately scheduled for May 13 by a unanimous vote, including a provision that the council consider censuring Barber at the hearing.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The judge declined the Menendez team’s request for the DA to be admonished for showing the crime photos, but asked both sides to provide warning.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Democratic strategist and pundit James Carville admonished Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and other progressives who have argued the Democratic Party needs radical change in order to beat Republicans in coming elections.
    Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Conor Heffernan, who lectures on the history of sports and fitness at Ulster University, in Ireland, said the current vogue for biohacking, and its protein boosterism, reeks of snake oil.
    Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Her quotidian life was lecturing at a college in Aberdeen, close to where she was born, and the travel and mountaineering a teacher’s schedule enables.
    Sadie Stein, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Trump didn’t exactly condemn the missile strikes on Kyiv, the country’s second largest city.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • On Friday, multiple freedom of the press organizations condemned the administration's latest move.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • She was criticized by some for her expensive timepiece and for using prisoners as production props.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Those signings by Guerin were, at the time, criticized as being premature.
    Joe Smith, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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