as in reprimands
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in admonishes
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scolds
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 censures
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
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 rebukes
ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Onstage that night, a few stars used their time at the microphone to offer mild rebukes of the administration.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
The result was a series of rebukes from the European Union’s Court of Justice and the EU itself, and a growing consensus that Hungary had lost its status as a true constitutional democracy.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
That tension was apparent in the Senate today, with hours of critical testimony from Democrats earning several rebukes from Republican lawmakers.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 26 Feb. 2026
Grand jurors in Washington declined to sign off on charges in the latest of a series of rebukes of prosecutors by citizens in the nation’s capital, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Pacheco recorded the police visit to her home in a video that went viral and prompted rebukes from free-speech advocates and candidates for Florida governor.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
While the would-be leaders of France and Germany issued sharp rebukes to Trump, the opposition in central and eastern Europe was more muted.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The exchange marked one of Altman’s sharpest public rebukes of Musk to date.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Pete Hegseth rebukes 'rude' reporter who interrupted Pentagon briefing on Iran.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
His comments about the budget drew rebukes from Superintendent Howard Hepburn and several other board members.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Her novel rebukes such thinking and prompts her characters to rebuke it in themselves, though at the last minute, Wood loses her nerve in a way that sheds light on the author’s growth over the past decade.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Lake's efforts to put that call into action have been challenged in prior lawsuits filed by VOA journalists and drawn rebukes from a federal judge overseeing them.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.
—Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
The executive order — echoing recent speeches delivered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — rebukes defense firms for stock buybacks, paying dividends to investors and high compensation for CEOs, rather than using profits to invest in plant capacity.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 25 Jan. 2026
The post is the latest in a series of public rebukes Young has aimed at Trump over the years.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
Nicola Gratteri, Naples’ chief prosecutor and a long time anti-Mafia magistrate, offered one of the most pointed rebukes.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Onstage that night, a few stars used their time at the microphone to offer mild rebukes of the administration.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
The result was a series of rebukes from the European Union’s Court of Justice and the EU itself, and a growing consensus that Hungary had lost its status as a true constitutional democracy.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
That tension was apparent in the Senate today, with hours of critical testimony from Democrats earning several rebukes from Republican lawmakers.
—Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 26 Feb. 2026
Grand jurors in Washington declined to sign off on charges in the latest of a series of rebukes of prosecutors by citizens in the nation’s capital, according to the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Pacheco recorded the police visit to her home in a video that went viral and prompted rebukes from free-speech advocates and candidates for Florida governor.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
While the would-be leaders of France and Germany issued sharp rebukes to Trump, the opposition in central and eastern Europe was more muted.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
The exchange marked one of Altman’s sharpest public rebukes of Musk to date.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
That statement drew rebukes from even some of the president's closest supporters as well as the pope.
—CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Pete Hegseth rebukes 'rude' reporter who interrupted Pentagon briefing on Iran.
—FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026
His comments about the budget drew rebukes from Superintendent Howard Hepburn and several other board members.
—Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Her novel rebukes such thinking and prompts her characters to rebuke it in themselves, though at the last minute, Wood loses her nerve in a way that sheds light on the author’s growth over the past decade.
—Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Lake's efforts to put that call into action have been challenged in prior lawsuits filed by VOA journalists and drawn rebukes from a federal judge overseeing them.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
In the dream, Moffo rebukes Minnelli for being condescending.
—Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026
The executive order — echoing recent speeches delivered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — rebukes defense firms for stock buybacks, paying dividends to investors and high compensation for CEOs, rather than using profits to invest in plant capacity.
—Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 25 Jan. 2026
The post is the latest in a series of public rebukes Young has aimed at Trump over the years.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebukes
Noun
-
If such a case occurs, penalties from the Florida Board of Nursing could range from reprimands, fines or probation to suspension or revocation of the license, according to a state statute.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
As if that conduct doesn’t raise enough questions about her fitness, Steele has faced reprimands for allowing staff to stray from official Board of Review business while on county time.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Consequently, the conference is imposing a $5,000 fine and admonishes all institutions to use the ‘out’ designation only if there are no circumstances under which a student-athlete could participate in a game.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The report admonishes the Alameda County foster care system for ongoing structural deficiencies, including understaffing and poor record-keeping, while also noting that the agency’s plan to address service gaps may still not be enough to bring it up to standard.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This cross-partisan skit is refreshing and the only people who might hate it are Cuomo supporters and maybe some woke scolds.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
On our hike, Jessie Krebs scolds her boots for sliding on a slick, house-size boulder.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the days and weeks following the Hamas massacre of innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023, students and colleagues alike in his academic community posted fiery condemnations of and expressions of moral disgust toward … Israel.—
Jesse Brown,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Sunni imams issued fatwas, legal condemnations by Islamic religious leaders, against us infidels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Schiavo raised a similar concern, noting that the National Transportation Safety Board regularly criticizes the Federal Aviation Administration and other regulators for not implementing obvious solutions, even after accidents occur.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Gigerenzer criticizes them as ethically problematic and argues that public policy should emphasize education over subtle choice manipulation.—
Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When not writing, May frequently lectures on the politics and policies of mass incarceration for university classes, academic conferences, and online events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
-
With me, my wife lectures me more than my children.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yamal condemns anti-Muslim chants Spain signed off for the World Cup on Tuesday with a 0-0 draw against Egypt.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Pappas’ report, released Monday morning, condemns political leaders — many of them Democrats like herself — for exploiting loopholes in a state law designed to limit real estate tax increases.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Aside from the financial cost to the city, Blain’s behavior prompted several council actions, including two censures.—
Susan Gill Vardon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Dec. 2025
-
Some rank-and-file lawmakers also agree that censures are losing their punch.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebukes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebukes. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
