Synonyms of rebuke

rebuke 1 of 2

noun

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval

delivered a stinging rebuke to the Congress, calling for an end to backstabbing and arguing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• condemnation
• reprimand
• censure
• denunciation
• criticism
• reproof
• excoriation
• reproach
• punishment
• riot act
• lecture
• admonishment
• commination
• stricture
• admonition
• chastisement
• castigation
• remonstrance
• objurgation
• scolding
• lesson
• damnation
• talking-to
• lash
• disparagement
• tongue-lashing
• dressing-down
• depreciation
• rap
• devil
• deprecation
• pan
• belittlement
• business

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• endorsement
• citation
• commendation
• praise
• tribute
• honor
• acclamation
• approval
• eulogy
• sanction
• encomium
• panegyric
• blessing
• plaudit(s)

rebuke

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈbyük 

1

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) so as to correct a fault

the father was forced to rebuke his son for the spendthrift ways he had adopted since arriving at college

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• reprimand
• lecture
• criticize
• blame
• upbraid
• chastise
• admonish
• berate
• reproach
• rag
• call down
• rail (at or against)
• attack
• castigate
• jaw
• chew out
• bawl out
• fault
• dress down
• ream (out)
• flay
• mock
• rant (at)
• lambaste
• lay into
• keelhaul
• read the riot act (to)
• rate
• chide
• hammer
• tongue-lash
• score
• condemn
• baste
• reprove
• take to task
• censure
• denounce
• revile
• crucify
• lash
• ridicule
• remonstrate (with)
• excoriate
• assail
• knock
• slam
• reprehend
• harangue
• scorn
• disparage
• abuse
• vituperate
• scourge
• belittle
• blast
• pan
• scoff
• bad-mouth
• lace (into)
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• praise
• extol
• laud

3

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of

in a rare move, the state's supreme court rebuked the governor for trying to circumvent one of its recent rulings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reprimand
• censure
• condemn
• punish
• denounce
• scold
• criticize
• reproach
• admonish
• reprove
• chastise
• call to account
• objurgate
• bring to account
• upbraid
• berate
• rag
• rail (at or against)
• castigate
• cut up
• disparage
• lecture
• jaw
• belittle
• flay
• deprecate
• tell off
• keelhaul
• chew out
• bawl out
• dress down
• rate
• depreciate
• lambaste
• score
• gibbet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• endorse
• cite
• honor
• applaud
• praise
• approve
• hail
• sanction
• acclaim
• bless
• laud
• eulogize

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

Recent Examples of rebuke

Noun

Along with her equally intellectual and sardonic (some may even say pessimistic) best friend Jane, Daria provided a terrifically entertaining rebuke to late ’90s and early aughts culture. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

In Iraq, the faction earned rebukes from clerics who had previously supported global jihad as well as from more mainstream religious leaders. — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

And rather than rebuke him, The Wall Street Journal’s editorial-page editor, Paul Gigot, defended the practice. — Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

The Iranian president also rebuked colleagues who have opposed a peace deal. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2026