reprimand 1 of 2

reprimand

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprimand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprimand are admonish, chide, rebuke, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

Where would admonish be a reasonable alternative to reprimand?

The synonyms admonish and reprimand are sometimes interchangeable, but admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would rebuke be a good substitute for reprimand?

Although the words rebuke and reprimand have much in common, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of reprimand?

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 reprimand?

The meanings of reprove and reprimand largely overlap; however, 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 reprimand
Noun
Broward judge to receive reprimand in June Morning Update: South Florida’s top stories for Monday, May 19, 2025. South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025 Such discipline could range from private reprimands to suspension or even permanent disbarment, effectively ending an attorney’s legal career. Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Britney Spears' latest vacation ended on a sour note when the singer was reprimanded for her in-flight behavior. Marina Watts, People.com, 23 May 2025 Unhappy with the tactic, Washington quickly voices his displeasure, pointing a finger at the culprit and appearing to reprimand him for the behavior. Shania Russell, EW.com, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reprimand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprimand
Noun
  • Winning would cap a startling resurrection for Cuomo, a three-term governor who resigned in 2021 amid condemnation for scandals.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 25 June 2025
  • But his condemnation of intervention in Iran was at odds with the Trump administration whose role in the conflict has splintered the MAGA coalition, a wing of which opposes American involvement in foreign wars.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Krugman has referred to deficit hawks as ‘deficit scolds’, because the spend more time warning about the dangers of the deficit than fixing it.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Musk and Gor reportedly clashed in Cabinet meetings where Musk scolded Gor over personnel disagreements in recent months.
    Ally Goelz, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • But the report, through analysis provided by third-party law enforcement experts, admonished the tactics and actions surrounding the shooting.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
  • Lucas admonished employers to review their DEI policies and eliminate those that may violate Title VII’s ban on discrimination against majority and minority employees alike.
    Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Two days later, the House approved a resolution to censure Green in a contentious 224-198 vote that progressed into a shouting match between lawmakers.
    Mackenzie Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2025
  • The day before, on Thursday, in Vienna the 35-nation Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency ruled that Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and censured the Islamic Republic.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Nonetheless, the missing performers were lectured by Richard Grenell, Trump’s new president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—a man with, inevitably, no experience in any of them—that performers must perform for people of all political parties.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
  • At the Cooper Union in New York in November, Sumner again lectured on Adams’s theory, while a group of Republicans and radical abolitionists sat behind his podium on the stage.
    Zaakir Tameez June 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Partly to blame is high inflation, claimed Bankrate, which has increased by about 24% since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • The lawsuit alleges the Tesla’s design was to blame for the car swerving out of its lane and not braking correctly, according to Reuters.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Road America punishes hesitation and rewards nerve, making every session breathtaking.
    Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 20 June 2025
  • The Administration’s political calculus seems aimed at punishing and intimidating Democrats who challenge the President’s agenda.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • At a time when establishing clarity of first principles has never been more urgent, UF’s law school practically dared anyone to criticize the award for whitewashing the Constitution.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • Environmental groups lobbied for the 8.3% increase versus something higher, but also criticized the water authority for not solving its problems sooner.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reprimand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprimand. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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