1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in to dislike
to hold an unfavorable opinion of
the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprove
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
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
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
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
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
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
-
During the meeting, Mayor Jim Jarratt repeatedly admonished speakers to stay on the topic of annexation.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Jan. 2026
-
On Tuesday, Judge Gregory Stuart Parker, the Taylor County circuit judge appointed to oversee the disciplinary case, recommended that Uhlfelder be admonished and required him to complete an ethics class.—
Dan Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Recently, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth censured Kelly, aiming to reduce his rank and its commensurate pension.—
Michael Szalma,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, Hegseth censured Kelly, and prepared to demote Kelly, which would affect his pension.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Conversely, if moderates – disliked by the base but much more electable nationally – win, then Democrats stand to avoid a 1994-style blowout, and may even be set up for a 1996-style victory.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The treatment offers more flexibility and an alternative for those who dislike needles used in injectable medication.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Performers have been reprimanded for making racist, sexist and homophobic jokes during shows in the late 1990s and 2000s, according to Westword, and Stock Show officials were quick to apologize.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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His popularity in other corners was evident in an October appearance on The View, in which cohost Whoopi Goldberg had to reprimand the audience for shouting out too many supportive exclamations.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But leaders in Minneapolis have disputed this claim and condemned the ICE agent’s actions.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Press freedom groups condemned the FBI’s search of a Washington Post reporter’s home as part of a leak investigation Wednesday.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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No less than a half-dozen GOP senators publicly criticized the Department of Justice for investigating Powell over Hill testimony last year about the Fed headquarters’ renovation.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Last week, Graham Knaus, the chief executive of the California State Association of Counties, criticized Newsom’s budget for not responding to the cost burdens shifting to local governments.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, when speaking to reporters at the White House, Vice President JD Vance scolded the media for not mentioning that the same ICE officer who shot Good was previously seriously injured during the car-dragging incident.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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This is not a bunch of people trying to scold for something that is a part of some kind of ideology.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The one who hunted and punished you now celebrates your courage.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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Anyone who’s been judged, rejected, or ghosted for doing so knows how punishing that vulnerability can be.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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