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
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
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
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
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
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
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove
Verb
-
The back-to-back performances came after Ware’s effort was admonished by coach Erik Spoelstra at a Saturday practice.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
-
He was admonished once by the judge for nodding enthusiastically toward jurors during a successful stretch of cross-examination by one of his lawyers.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Behind the scenes of the Laurel Libby censure The past controversy involving the Greely High School athlete had a wide-ranging ripple effect on the state's congress.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 July 2025
-
But its uranium enrichment has reached near weapons-grade levels, and on Thursday, the U.N.'s atomic watchdog censured Iran for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
Many people dislike manually adding up every item in their cart.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
-
In fact, few groups in society are as universally disliked as ethical vegans, vegetarians and advocates for animal rights.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Officer Juan Gonzalez, a 12-year Miami Gardens police veteran, described being reprimanded for speaking to other Hispanic officers at a crime scene.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
16 July 2025
-
Ruben is sailing across the Atlantic with them (which Duncan rightfully reprimands him for later – like really, who brings a small child across the ocean in a sailboat?).—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published,
EW.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Arab states are now publicly condemning Hamas’ violence and calling for an end to its control of Gaza, a shift from their previous positions.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Multiple Virginia Republicans, including Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, condemned the act of violence and offered their prayers for Vogler and his family.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Rather than opt for a two-year extension of the current lease, which has been criticized by some residents since it was signed in 1997, the Bengals and the county agreed on a new 11-year lease.—
Erin Glynn,
The Enquirer,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The news comes as Timberlake finishes his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour, during which his recent performances had been criticized for being less lively than usual.—
Amber Brenza,
Health,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Minutes later, Boone was spotted appearing to scold first-base coach Travis Chapman for Chisholm getting thrown out.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
-
But instead of yelling or scolding, Hocker speaks to her daughter gently, and with compassion.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
The Boston Federal Reserve is already testing CBDC programs, and the examples of abuse are everywhere: China's social credit system, which punishes citizens for political dissent, and Canada freezing of truckers' bank accounts in 2022 for protesting vaccine mandates.—
Kevin Sabet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
-
The 22-year-old Shelton was utterly dominant in his first two matches of the tournament, punishing opponents with blistering serves and thunderous ground strokes.—
Jacob Steinberg,
Baltimore Sun,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share