reproves

verb

present tense third-person singular of reprove
1
as in admonishes
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 censures
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 dislikes
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproves
  1. admonishes
  2. reprimands
  3. dislikes
  4. scolds
  5. condemns
  6. criticizes
  7. blames
  8. denounces
Verb
  • Sinon admonishes his king for failing to properly honor Ithaca’s dead soldiers, contributing to Odysseus’s guilt.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026
  • Judge admonishes Musk over social media use Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, one of its largest investors, with proceeds going to OpenAI’s charitable arm.
    — Deepa Seetharaman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of admonishes
Verb
  • Being a fly on the wall is precisely what Hard Knocks makes viewers feel like in the moment when Head Coach Mike Macdonald reprimands linebacker Derick Hall for getting too close to a quarterback.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The emperor reprimands her for being late for the rainmaking ritual.
    — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026
Definition of reprimands
Verb
  • When Hank and Peggy meet a new family who has moved into the neighborhood, the Laotian Souphanousinphones, Hank immediately dislikes the father, Kahn, who is abrasive, competitive, and often rude.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Kevin Carbonneau is one who dislikes the idea of closing the school.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of dislikes
Verb
  • Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of scolds
Verb
  • The documentary condemns The Swan for manufacturing reality, while offering its own more morally satisfying reality.
    — Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The government silences critics, shuts down free press and condemns other political parties.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of condemns
Verb
  • The piece also criticizes media and academic discussions that portray Latino men and Latinas as politically opposed blocs.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The Bolsonaro reaction Flávio Bolsonaro, by contrast, criticizes Brazilian democratic institutions – particularly the Supreme Court and the electoral system – as obstacles to restoring the country’s political order.
    — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of criticizes
Verb
  • The Tracy camp blames that on the Democrat’s lack of engagement.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Cohen blames other departments’ delays in turning over data as part of the reason for its chronic lateness.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of blames
Verb
  • As the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises proceed, North Korea denounces them as invasion rehearsals, launches missiles and vows stronger deterrence, even as analysts say scaling back drills could weaken long-term allied readiness.
    — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The project denounces Haiti’s justice system through the story of a woman imprisoned for years without trial and later judged not by law, but by scripture.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of denounces
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Reproves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproves. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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