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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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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And this time, Carmen turned his sights towards Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson, scolding him for his timeout decisions.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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These ridiculous charges led Swifties to bemoan the current political climate, admonishing left-leaning commentators for going overboard in their attempts to identify signs of cryptofascism in Swift’s work.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
9 Dec. 2025
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Caitlin Clark gave support to fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier, who had referenced Clark when admonishing the league and commissioner Cathy Engelbert in fiery remarks earlier this week.—
Jill Martin,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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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And unlike Gober’s ad, the ad targeting Bores from Leading the Future’s Think Big PAC leans heavily into criticizing Bores for wanting to regulate AI at the state level.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
10 Dec. 2025
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The Justice Department declined to comment on the lawsuit, pointing instead to Bondi’s earlier statements criticizing ICEBlock.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In 2024, China abstained from a UN Security Council vote condemning the placement of nuclear weapons in outer space—a motion supported by all other members except Russia.—
ELIZABETH ECONOMY,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Dec. 2025
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AfghanEvac issued a statement within hours of the shooting condemning it and asking Americans to not demonize an entire country because of the actions of one person.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Looks like a lot of fans are blaming the refs, a classic coping mechanism!—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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Blaming Ray, then blaming his disease.—
Adeline Goss,
New Yorker,
11 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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