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
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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
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
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
When a boy in the front row decides to visit the girl sitting behind him, Hood gives him a gentle reproof.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 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
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
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
When a boy in the front row decides to visit the girl sitting behind him, Hood gives him a gentle reproof.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 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
-
As America celebrates its 249th anniversary and a declaration of independence from tyranny on July 4, Bolick's comments represent his most piercing and direct condemnation of actions taken by the country's highest political leaders.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
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The suppression of dissent drew international condemnation, and the U.S. and the European Union imposed sanctions on Belarus.—
Yuras Karmanau,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Amster has to return $10,000 to Diaz’s mother, attend ethics school and will receive a public reprimand.—
David J. Neal
July 3,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2025
-
Nelson received a reprimand from the city’s ethics board in April for impeding the investigation, and the City Council passed resolutions last summer limiting his ceremonial powers.—
Aaron Sullivan,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Libby's censure was initially passed on Feb. 25 by a vote of 75-70.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
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Iran said other measures were also being planned in response to the U.N. agency's censure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reproof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproof. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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