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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
That drew an immediate rebuke from Moscow, which dismissed Europe’s concerns as groundless and hysterical. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025 Mickelson was mostly praised for his rebuke to Omar in his X responses. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
California is considering a ballot measure to empower its legislature to redraw districts in response, a move rebuked by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who helped create the state's independent redistricting system more than a decade ago. MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Routh has been rebuked several times by Cannon after making unexpected and off-topic comments. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
  • Astin’s remarks come after a formal condemnation of Norwood from SAG-AFTRA, as well as outcry from dozens of actors, including Emily Blunt, Melissa Barrera, Lukas Gage and more.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s latest tour de force is an absurdist, boldly surprising condemnation of his homeland.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There is a form of right-of-center liberalism that is content with status hierarchies, that is very unhappy with anything that makes people feel reprimanded.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatened networks to reprimand Kimmel.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Chun also scolded attorneys for Amazon in July for withholding thousands of documents from the FTC and abusing a legal privilege to shield them from scrutiny.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On September 18, the House narrowly rejected the resolution to censure Omar over her remarks and social media posts following the assassination of Kirk.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Doctors, lawyers and first responders have been fired, suspended, censured or investigated.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But the White House has repeatedly admonished the apps and the media coverage about them.
    Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • One of the most emblematic moments of the week came in the morning session when the camera and microphone caught McIlroy admonishing rowdy fans before a shot.
    Justin Ray, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Augusta was a devout Christian who often lectured the Bible to her sons and blamed alcohol and women for the evils of the world, per the outlet.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Clarke and his business partner sold photographs and films, wrote and lectured about their adventures, and began treasure hunting.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On October 7, 2023, as a terrorist army invaded Israel intending to commit genocide against the Jewish people, many world leaders rightly condemned Hamas’ murder, rape, and slaughter of Israelis and foreign nationals.
    Ofir Akunis, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In some cases, bold new projects have ended with buildings being returned to their previous states and uses, others remain uncompleted, and an unfortunate few have been condemned to be demolished.
    Alberto Piernas Medina, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some council members have criticized the proposal, citing a lack of communication and calling the move premature.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • So far, the league’s response has been not to fix the issue but, instead, to levy fines against players and coaches who criticize refs.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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