1
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
reprimanded the summer intern for her constant tardiness
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2
as in admonishing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in censuring
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
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Recent Examples of reprimanding
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.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Hart was reprimanding Ross for doing what is the most offensive thing a comedian can do — suck up to the most important person in the room — and enforcing an old ethic in comedy, which is not apologizing for your jokes.
—Robert Lynch, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Even the universe seems to be reprimanding Taylor, because the women coincidentally run into Jesse Palmer, the host of The Bachelorette, at brunch.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Still, don’t discount the power of comforting or reprimanding statements, because both are necessary in their own ways.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.
—Connor Greene, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Hart was reprimanding Ross for doing what is the most offensive thing a comedian can do — suck up to the most important person in the room — and enforcing an old ethic in comedy, which is not apologizing for your jokes.
—Robert Lynch, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
In footage that circulated on social media after Sunday's telecast, the 35-year-old Best Supporting Actress nominee and recording artist was shown reprimanding someone off camera while others stepped between them.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Even the universe seems to be reprimanding Taylor, because the women coincidentally run into Jesse Palmer, the host of The Bachelorette, at brunch.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Still, don’t discount the power of comforting or reprimanding statements, because both are necessary in their own ways.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.
—Connor Greene, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprimanding
Verb
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The princess hilariously put her little brother in his place by scolding him.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
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On March 12, the judge sought to change the journalists’ seating arrangement in court after scolding them for asking İmamoğlu questions during a hearing.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
Verb
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In the viral video after the shooting, neighbors can be heard angrily admonishing officers for killing the dog.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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The other night Charles Barkley was admonishing people to stop wringing their hands about the Thunder being too physical with Wembanyama.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
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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.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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College professors spend less time lecturing than a typical sportswriter creating fake controversies to criticize.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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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.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The group issued a point-by-point analysis of the memorandum, criticizing it for potentially freeing up tens of billions of dollars for Iran without putting sufficient safeguards to ensure the country won’t use the money to fund operations against the United States.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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The week, however, was not without controversy for the South Korean team, as the squad barred press from their home country after audio of media criticizing the mandatory military service exemption granted to Son was leaked.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The display by the players caused a backlash among some in the team's fan base and prompted a national controversy in a city renowned for its support of LGBTQ+ culture, with Mayor Daniel Lurie among those condemning the players' actions.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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The comments have gained attention online after a video clip from the meeting began circulating on social media, with critics condemning Pittman’s characterization of Juneteenth.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Rodrigo eventually countered that her detractors were blaming the wrong person.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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On Thursday, the company was sued by a Canadian blaming the chatbot for her daughter’s decision to hang herself.—
Bernard Condon,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Resolutions passed on immigration and political violence Later Wednesday, SBC messengers approved a resolutions denouncing political violence and hateful speech.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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Overnight, Musk reposted many social media messages denouncing the state of the United Kingdom.—
Henry Austin,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprimanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprimanding. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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