REPROVE Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'reprove' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprove are admonish , chide , rebuke , reprimand , and reproach . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

Q: When is 'admonish' a more appropriate choice than 'reprove'?

While the synonyms admonish and reprove are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: In what contexts can 'rebuke' take the place of 'reprove'?

The synonyms rebuke and reprove are sometimes interchangeable, but rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reprimand' instead of 'reprove'?

The meanings of reprimand and reprove largely overlap; however, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: How do 'reproach' and 'chide' relate to one another, in the sense of 'reprove'?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

reprove

verb

ri-ˈprüv

Definition of reprove

as in to admonish

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dislike

to hold an unfavorable opinion of the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprove contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprove are admonish, chide, rebuke, reprimand, and reproach. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

When is admonish a more appropriate choice than reprove?

While the synonyms admonish and reprove are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

In what contexts can rebuke take the place of reprove?

The synonyms rebuke and reprove are sometimes interchangeable, but rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use reprimand instead of reprove?

The meanings of reprimand and reprove largely overlap; however, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of reprove?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

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 reprove Who has changed their name and has to reprove their identity? — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence. — Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024 Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis. — Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023 In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church. — Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023 Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate. — Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove

Verb

As Kierny admonished both sides to follow the court’s rules, Davis took on prosecutor Michael DiGiacomo directly.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Barnett, meanwhile, began reporting safety violations to Boeing in 2013, but was admonished for putting his concerns in writing.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

There have also been calls for him to be censured or even expelled by other members of Congress, especially in the wake of several high-profile accusations of misconduct in the House.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Independent investigations commissioned by the county found instances of managerial misconduct, leading the Shasta County Board of Supervisors to formally censure him earlier this August.

— Drew Askeland, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Democrats pushed for El-Sayed to more directly condemn Piker and his comments, though El-Sayed framed the whole episode as a nonissue in the election.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Turkey and Saudi Arabia are particularly pleased that the SDF will be disbanded due to its historic relationship to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a group widely condemned as a terrorist organization.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of punish

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“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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