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reprimand

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprimand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprimand are admonish, chide, rebuke, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

Where would admonish be a reasonable alternative to reprimand?

The synonyms admonish and reprimand are sometimes interchangeable, but admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would rebuke be a good substitute for reprimand?

Although the words rebuke and reprimand have much in common, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of reprimand?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

In what contexts can reprove take the place of reprimand?

The meanings of reprove and reprimand largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

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 reprimand
Noun
The Judicial Qualifications Commission in April recommended that Moon receive a public reprimand and pay a fine of $2,115, the amount of the political contributions. News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 7 May 2025 According to Collins, this includes cases involving denial of religious exemptions for vaccine mandates, reprimands over Christian symbols, workplace hostility toward Christian views, and retaliation for refusing to participate in procedures like abortions or hormone therapy. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
Yet no one else can quite believe that the Mafia have followed cocaine from tough Sicily to sleepy Apulia, least of all the dismissive Bari police chief, who reprimands Pietro for his maverick approach to detective work. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025 On March 26, Jonah, 38, responded to a comment on one of his Instagram posts asking about Variety’s report that his father allegedly reprimanded Zegler for her political comments amid the Disney remake’s promotion. Sharareh Drury, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reprimand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprimand
Noun
  • There has been widespread international condemnation, particularly from the UN.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • Musk and his team have swept through the government in recent months, slashing federal contracts and cutting staff — drawing applause from Trump allies and condemnation from opponents.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • At another meeting in May 2024, Grippo scolded female employees for not working hard enough, although the team was high-performing and employees worked long hours, the lawsuit said.
    Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • In January at the annual World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump scolded Brian Moynihan, the CEO of Bank of America.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump has made similar comments before – admonishing Moscow for its onslaught on Ukraine’s civilians, while also expressing broader grief at the tragedy of war in general, rather than fury at the Kremlin’s specific massacres, say of nine children at a Kryvyi Rih playground days earlier.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Cook County Judge Angela Petrone admonished Brand on Tuesday for delving into questions about Smith’s romantic history after being told not to do so the day before.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • This country has not only failed to censure Israel for its actions, but any demonstrations against them are deemed to be antisemitic and are condemned.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025
  • The high court granted the request for emergency relief sought by Laurel Libby, who represents House District 90 and was censured by her colleagues for a social media post that criticized the state for allowing transgender athletes at public high schools to compete in girls sports.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • These days, nothing infuriates liberals more than to be lectured about the American plutocracy — not when Trump is perhaps the most brazenly corrupt president to hold the office in modern history.
    Alexander Heffner, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025
  • Maybe Healey can lecture them on how to sue Trump a hundred times and bankrupt a state on migrant hotel shelters.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an accusation rejected by Islamabad.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Man sentenced for threatening officials DENVER -- A man who blamed exposure to far-right extremist content for his online threats to kill Democratic election officials in Colorado and Arizona was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The United States halted a punishing bombing campaign against the Houthis this month, saying the rebels had pledged to stop attacking ships.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • The penalty is a mere $200 fine, and members have not been punished for said violations.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Harry and Meghan have been criticized for making money out of projects that criticized the royal family, including through the multiyear, multimillion dollar Netflix deal that the Harry & Meghan documentary was part of.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • At the same time, Lively was freshly criticized for her reaction to an interviewer in a resurfaced 2016 clip.
    Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reprimand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprimand. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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