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
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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
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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
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
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In the latest example, the House Ethics Committee admonished Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly for stock his wife bought in a steelmaking company while having inside information of an investigation that could benefit the company.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
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As Tetyana weeps, the soldier gently admonishes her fuss.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The inscriptions also reference El, a deity associated with the Abrahamic God, while censuring the ancient pagan goddess Ba`alat.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Washington’s partners in Europe stepped up during the Biden administration and, in the face of American reluctance, advocated for the IAEA to censure Tehran for not cooperating with the agency’s inspections and refusing to answer questions about its nuclear work.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On the Forest end, there is a slight sense that some fans almost relish the idea of being disliked.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Both the Second Circuit and Nevada Supreme Court disliked that the Flores and Gruden arbitration provisions incorporated the NFL’s Constitution while also preserving the right of the NFL to amend the Constitution at any time.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Corrections Department disciplinary records reveal two park rangers were reprimanded for various offenses, including lying about attendance, sleeping on the job and unprofessional behavior.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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As the task force scouted out the scene, Blythe (Eric Dane) repeatedly reprimanded Meachum (Jensen Ackles) for getting too close to the potentially explosive truck — which happened to interrupt Mark telling his SAC about his tumor.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Trump has consistently condemned flag burning and called for its criminalization, even suggesting jail time or loss of citizenship.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Orlando officials on Thursday condemned the state’s overnight removal of a rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub – a commemoration of the 49 people killed at the LGBTQ-friendly nightclub in 2016.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump amps up his attacks on CEOs and other executives Trump has long used social media and his other public statements to cajole, criticize and praise companies and individual CEOs.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some have also scolded Colossal for tinkering with genetics, but the tech firm insists its work will aid in the conservation and protection of endangered species.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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With the camel’s back broken, Dorothy Scott, summoning all her righteous indignation (and channeled with maybe one-third of Audra McDonald’s extraordinary talent, which is still enough to power the city of Manhattan), lets the snobby scold have it.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Growth exposes every weakness, magnifies every misalignment, and punishes a lack of discipline.—
Andrea Hill,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Self surrounded his stud freshman with bigger guards and wings spacing the floor, all of whom are capable of slashing and punishing closeouts.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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