1
as in admonished
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reprimanded
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of rebuked
The co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which rebuked the CDC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, will oversee the nation’s leading public health agency.
—
Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Trump is rebuked by the public and also by some of his colleagues for the Obama posting.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
That sparked a back-and-forth between the offices as Johnson’s spokesperson said Burke’s office in fact provided feedback on the order’s language, which the state’s attorney’s team rebuked.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The Giants aggressively pursued Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams according to a recent report from The Athletic but Washington’s front office rebuked the deal.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
The courts have repeatedly rebuked that Orange County city’s lawsuits and the city is now facing a loss of its local zoning control and potential fines.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
The martial law order was unanimously rebuked by South Korea’s National Assembly in a 190-0 vote.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
Powell rebuked the probe as an effort to undermine the Fed's independence.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026
Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2026
Trump is rebuked by the public and also by some of his colleagues for the Obama posting.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
That sparked a back-and-forth between the offices as Johnson’s spokesperson said Burke’s office in fact provided feedback on the order’s language, which the state’s attorney’s team rebuked.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The Giants aggressively pursued Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams according to a recent report from The Athletic but Washington’s front office rebuked the deal.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
The courts have repeatedly rebuked that Orange County city’s lawsuits and the city is now facing a loss of its local zoning control and potential fines.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
The martial law order was unanimously rebuked by South Korea’s National Assembly in a 190-0 vote.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
Powell rebuked the probe as an effort to undermine the Fed's independence.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuked
Verb
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On Wednesday, reports circulated that Cioni, Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law, had been identified as a possible suspect, but Sheriff Nanos quickly shot that down in a note that admonished members of the media who reported him as a person of interest without confirmation.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
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In a series of emails to the Post last week shared with Semafor, Newsom Chief Deputy Director of Communications Tara Gallegos admonished the paper over various details of its articles.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
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No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Last year, filmmakers who spoke out for Palestinian life and liberty from the Berlinale stage reported being aggressively reprimanded by senior festival programmers.—
William Earl,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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Several told the Herald they were reprimanded for speaking to the media to promote the cultural events being hosted by the center.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Red McCombs, one of the most prodigious benefactors in UT history who gave more than $100 million to the school’s athletic programs before his death in 2023, famously criticized the hiring of former head football coach Charlie Strong in 2014.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
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Massie criticized Bondi's combative testimony before the House Judiciary Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Vance’s speech got a cool reception from European leaders who said they felt lectured.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
18 Feb. 2026
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Some of us have guest lectured in his law school class on the Arkansas Constitution, and his passion for our state's rich heritage is evident.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has censured Kelly for participating in the video and is trying to retroactively demote Kelly from his retired rank of captain.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Last month, Hegseth censured Kelly, who retired after serving more than 20 years in the Navy -- an action that was set to result in a reduction in rank and retirement pay.—
Luke Barr,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Pritzker, the billionaire Hyatt executive, similarly blamed his retirement on a desire to shield the company’s brand.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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In December, 2025, Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir called on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to choose between maintaining ties with Islamabad or supporting the Pakistani Taliban, the militant group blamed for a surge in deadly attacks in recent years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The $42 shirt, which was condemned by Jewish organizations, has already sold out from the official Olympics online store.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
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While the modern Soviet Jewry movement grew after his assassination, King consistently condemned systems that denied religious freedom, cultural identity, or basic human rights.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebuked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuked. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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