1
as in admonishing
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
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2
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reprimanding
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebuking
Voters in the once-reliable Labor stronghold of Makerfield handed Burnham nearly 55% of the vote, rebuking both Starmer’s faltering government and surging right-wing challenger Reform UK.
—
Kwiyeon Ha,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Beloved actor Ron Perlman fully leans into trying to make the contestants fail this task by forcing eye contact, asking them polite questions, rebuking their bad manners in ignoring him, and even doggedly getting into their personal space.
—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Last year, however, Warsh voiced support for lower interest rates, rebuking the Fed's concern about inflation risk posed by a flurry of new tariffs.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
The conservative Justices rewarded this strategy, rebuking not Alabama but the lower court for not being deferential enough to a state that had repeatedly demonstrated its determination to delay and obstruct.
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Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Medical schools and institutions must be at the forefront of teaching about the inequities that persist to this day — and equally at the forefront of rebuking studies like the hepatitis B vaccine trial.
—
Uzma Rentia,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
Judges are growing increasingly frustrated, publicly rebuking the administration for missing deadlines and failing to comply with court orders.
—
Pratheek Rebala,
ProPublica,
10 Feb. 2026
The two moderate senators’ comments stand out amid the GOP’s apparent reservation about rebuking Noem publicly, even though many have called for an investigation into Pretti’s fatal shooting.
—
Chad De Guzman,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded directly to Merz’s Tuesday comments, rebuking the condemnation of the Islamic Republic.
—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2026
Kwiyeon Ha,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Beloved actor Ron Perlman fully leans into trying to make the contestants fail this task by forcing eye contact, asking them polite questions, rebuking their bad manners in ignoring him, and even doggedly getting into their personal space.
—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Last year, however, Warsh voiced support for lower interest rates, rebuking the Fed's concern about inflation risk posed by a flurry of new tariffs.
—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
The conservative Justices rewarded this strategy, rebuking not Alabama but the lower court for not being deferential enough to a state that had repeatedly demonstrated its determination to delay and obstruct.
—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Medical schools and institutions must be at the forefront of teaching about the inequities that persist to this day — and equally at the forefront of rebuking studies like the hepatitis B vaccine trial.
—
Uzma Rentia,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
Judges are growing increasingly frustrated, publicly rebuking the administration for missing deadlines and failing to comply with court orders.
—
Pratheek Rebala,
ProPublica,
10 Feb. 2026
The two moderate senators’ comments stand out amid the GOP’s apparent reservation about rebuking Noem publicly, even though many have called for an investigation into Pretti’s fatal shooting.
—
Chad De Guzman,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded directly to Merz’s Tuesday comments, rebuking the condemnation of the Islamic Republic.
—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuking
Verb
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Regardless, this issue could have resolved if the Giants had issued a statement straight away either defending their players’ First Amendment right to express their views or admonishing them for violating the term of the CBA.
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In the viral video after the shooting, neighbors can be heard angrily admonishing officers for killing the dog.
Verb
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This ancient poem isn’t interested in scolding women for their sexuality, but in the establishment of honor in the elite household.
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The princess hilariously put her little brother in his place by scolding him.
Verb
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Earlier this week, Scott Agness claimed his press credentials were revoked by the team after his reporting led to the WNBA reprimanding the Fever for not being transparent about Clark’s health status during a game on May 20.
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If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?
Verb
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Several had a history of criticizing vaccine recommendations or questioning their safety.
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From Lebanon, Ghosn seized the moment, criticizing current leadership and offering himself as a solution.
Verb
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College professors spend less time lecturing than a typical sportswriter creating fake controversies to criticize.
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If and until that day comes, there will be fingerpointing, lecturing and posturing, all of which has flowed freely in the wake of the Sorsby decision.
Verb
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As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.
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Brown, the lone vote against Martinez’s item, said offering trainings to all councilmembers without mandating it for the mayor and not censuring him absolved Martinez of accountability.
Verb
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Vitello, on Tuesday, sided with Devers in blaming the media for this dramatic storyline, comparing it to an early-season blowup between Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt.
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Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is suing Mayor Karen Bass personally, alleging that, while campaigning for reelection, Bass defamed her, damaging Crowley’s reputation by blaming her for the city’s response during the catastrophic Palisades fire.
Verb
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Kansas City’s police union showed support for a motorcycle officer who was involved in a shooting Thursday afternoon, condemning the act of violence and saying it was not tied to the World Cup.
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Additionally, Sheikh Murat Suleimanov, Mufti of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine, posted a video on his Facebook page condemning the Russian attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Cite this Entry
“Rebuking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuking. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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