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reprove

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of reprove

1 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 of reprove

admonish, chide, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, tick off
Words Related to reprove

berate, castigate, chew out, dress down, flay, harangue, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rail (at or against), rate, scold, score, upbraid

abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], excoriate, fault, knock, lash, pan, reprehend, slam

belittle, deprecate, disparage, minimize, mock, put down

deride, ridicule, scoff, scorn
Phrases Synonymous with reprove

burn one's ears, get after, get on
Near Antonyms of reprove

approve, endorse (also indorse), OK (or okay), sanction

applaud, extol (also extoll), hail, laud, praise, salute, tout

2 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 of reprove

censure, condemn, denounce, objurgate, rebuke, reprimand, reproach
Words Related to reprove

admonish, chastise

castigate, punish

bawl out, berate, chew out, cut up, dress down, flay, gibbet, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rate, scold, score, tell off, upbraid

belittle, criticize, deprecate, depreciate, disparage
Phrases Synonymous with reprove

bring to account, call to account
Near Antonyms of reprove

acclaim, applause, hail, honor

eulogize, laud, praise

approve, bless, sanction
Antonyms of reprove

cite, commend, endorse (also indorse)

3 to hold an unfavorable opinion of

  • the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music
Synonyms of reprove

deprecate, disapprove (of), discountenance, disesteem, disfavor, dislike, frown (on or upon), mislike, tsk-tsk, tut (over or about), tut-tut (over or about)
Words Related to reprove

disrelish, object (to), pooh-pooh (also pooh), reject, reprehend, reprobate, scorn

censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, discommend

chide, rebuke, reproach, scold
Phrases Synonymous with reprove

look down one's nose (on)
Near Antonyms of reprove

endorse (also indorse), sanction, support

adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), love, relish, revel (in)
Antonyms of reprove

approve, favor, like

Synonym Discussion of reprove

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely. reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.
    • gently reproved my table manners
rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.
    • the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics
reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.
    • reprimanded by the ethics committee
admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.
    • admonished by my parents to control expenses
reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.
    • reproached him for tardiness
    • chided by their mother for untidiness

Learn More about reprove

  1. See words that rhyme with reprove Dictionary: Definition of reprove Spanish Central: Translation of reprove Nglish: Translation of reprove for Spanish speakers

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