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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

So if ever you are admonished for omitting the fish in a Caesar, point your mistaken scold to Tijuana.

— Drew Goins, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Marsh, the judge who presided over the trial, repeatedly admonished Basabe for bringing up things that the court had previously ruled he wasn’t allowed to mention.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
The City Council, which is considering censuring the mayor, asked for assistance because the city’s Human Resources director wasn’t available at the time, according to Mayor Pro Tem Tara Graves.

— Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

But even those people who dislike the very existence of private schools in big cities would be hard-pressed to make the case that the entire sector collectively makes up a torture chamber.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Then there could be optical disruption in which the quantum dots emit specific wavelengths of light under ambient conditions that insects instinctively dislike.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dislike

Verb

Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
She was vilified and reprimanded for ACTUALLY taking a courageous stance against men in women’s sports and spaces.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

In a separate statement, FIFPRO, the body representing soccer players around the world, also condemned FIFA for pursuing its plan and demanded a set of governance reforms.

— Rafael Nam, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
Past collaborators and friends, including Natalie Portman, who had become the face of Dior fragrance, condemned him.

— Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

McKenzie hasn’t shied away from criticizing celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Matt Damon who have made money hawking cryptocurrency companies in ads.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
The powerful Florida Sheriff’s Association is the latest group to criticize the November ballot measure to roll back property taxes, joining what has been a drumbeat of opposition from law enforcement and first responder organizations.

— Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The curious boys climbed onto the roof of their home for a better look, but climbed back down when scolded by their grandmother.

— Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Restrictions have extended outside the classroom, with some teachers being fired or punished for criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich faces a fight for political survival in elections in October after angering his fellow West Bank settlers by voting not to punish ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to serve in the military.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of punish

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“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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