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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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
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Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Many people flooded the comments with support for California gubernatorial front-runner Xavier Becerra while admonishing Espina, accusing him of being a traitor for endorsing Tom Steyer.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
22 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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One can scarcely imagine Davis agreeing to a management interview with Forbes or lecturing executives about organizational leadership.—
Bill Fischer,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The cruel cartoon of a constantly shrewish, venal, and disloyal Mary began cementing itself in the public mind when William Herndon, Lincoln’s Springfield law partner, started lecturing about his reminiscences within months of the President’s murder.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Verb
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The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he’s gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that’s hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
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The four leaders have also angered Trump by criticizing how he's gone about executing the war and his lack of consultation with allies before jumping into a conflict that's hurt the global economy as oil prices have surged.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Oak Park officials issued a statement condemning antisemitism on Thursday after a home was vandalized with an antisemitic message.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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The Art Directors Guild released a statement on social media on Tuesday condemning Martin Scorsese’s recent partnership with AI startup Black Forest Labs.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Verb
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One of the people blaming China is billionaire investor Kevin O’Leary, who is backing a $100 billion data center project in Utah.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
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Unable to cope with that, British voters are casting about blaming the politicians.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The song, and its accompanying video featuring Bryan dancing on a dock, was ripped online, and launched a string of comments denouncing the track — about, yep, fishing and hunting, golfing and drinking — as the product of a large language model.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
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Unlike the polished restraint of traditional beauty advertising, her monologue denouncing ageism is unfiltered and unapologetic.—
Alison Bringé,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprimanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprimanding. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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