as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
even in church we were not free from Mother's familiar reproof of our ingrained tendency to fidget in our seats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 reproof
In the appeal to you, gentle readers, to email us with your thoughts, questions, reproofs, corrections, jokes, recipes, etc.
—
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 May 2025
Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
So your best response is either to ignore the remark, which is a reproof in itself, or to make a joke of it.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
Such a man is a proper subject, not for reproof, but for medical treatment.
—Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Preceded by a setting of the Kaddish and opening with an evergreen reproof of antisemitism, the symphony is the kind of music that welcomes reflection.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022
Florida and Texas have already allowed concerts to resume, though not without some issues: Steve Aoki and Diplo each got warnings from local police and reproof from the mayor of Tampa, Fla., for performing in front of maskless crowds during Super Bowl weekend in February.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2021
In response to the reproof, Clicks has issued an apology, and an explanation that at least two other companies were involved in approving the advert.
—Norma Young, Quartz Africa, 9 Sep. 2020
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 May 2025
Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
So your best response is either to ignore the remark, which is a reproof in itself, or to make a joke of it.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
Such a man is a proper subject, not for reproof, but for medical treatment.
—Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Preceded by a setting of the Kaddish and opening with an evergreen reproof of antisemitism, the symphony is the kind of music that welcomes reflection.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022
Florida and Texas have already allowed concerts to resume, though not without some issues: Steve Aoki and Diplo each got warnings from local police and reproof from the mayor of Tampa, Fla., for performing in front of maskless crowds during Super Bowl weekend in February.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2021
In response to the reproof, Clicks has issued an apology, and an explanation that at least two other companies were involved in approving the advert.
—Norma Young, Quartz Africa, 9 Sep. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproof
Noun
-
The move triggered condemnation from the African Union, the European Union, and countries including China, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
While the findings aren’t a condemnation of any one specific crossbreed, the study’s authors hope the new information will help dispel ongoing myths about designer dogs.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Givens faced scrutiny last year after the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a public reprimand and an admonition, citing conduct that included allowing a staff member to impersonate her during a 2021 bond hearing and taking action in cases after she had been recused.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Of those, one was sustained, and Givens was issued a reprimand.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After a meeting with one of them goes horribly wrong, Devlin and her publicist Sylvie, another a victim of Hollywood’s censure, find revenge offers a unique albeit gruesome ingredient for Glob’s products.—
Paula L. Woods,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The censure document also states that in 2024, the Board sought to address Ko’s absences by updating its policy to reaffirm meeting importance and participation.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reproof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproof. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
