Synonyms of reprimand

reprimand 1 of 2

noun

ˈre-prə-ˌmand 

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval

while reviewing the troops, the officer delivered a curt reprimand to one of the soldiers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

reprimand

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to scold

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

reprimanded the summer intern for her constant tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to admonish

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault

reprimanded the student for using the lax grammar and punctuation of text messaging in a term paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of

the president was forced to reprimand the general for publicly voicing his disagreements with the nation's foreign policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of reprimand

Noun

After a presentation by a lawyer and an investigator for the secretary of state’s office, a response from the county and a lengthy discussion among the board members, the board voted to issue a letter of reprimand to the county. —Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

After a presentation by a lawyer and an investigator for the secretary of state's office, a response from the county and a lengthy discussion among the board members, the board voted to issue a letter of reprimand to Fulton County. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

Harnessing the camp of countless Drag Race acting challenges that came before her, Jujubee films a close-up reaction to a group of rowdy passengers reprimanding her, escalating the moment until her face is full-on twitching before a physical confrontation. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026

The law banning smoking in restaurants hadn’t yet taken effect, but Wheeler reprimanded him anyway. —Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026