Definition of admonishnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb admonish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admonish are chide, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

Where would rebuke be a reasonable alternative to admonish?

The words rebuke and admonish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use reprimand instead of admonish?

While in some cases nearly identical to admonish, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

How are the words reproach and chide related as synonyms of admonish?

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

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

When is reprove a more appropriate choice than admonish?

The words reprove and admonish can be used in similar contexts, but 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 admonish The judge told the jury to disregard the outburst, and later admonished the gallery, including the family members present. Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Parliament Vice President Nicolae Ștefănuță quickly intervened, admonishing the lawmaker for his language and warning of consequences. Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026 Whether or not the new censure measure will pass is still up in the air, said Zepeda, who believes the push to formally admonish Martinez has helped influence the mayor’s item. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026 The outlet reported that the mother of Jamieson’s child spoke out in court, admonishing him for the violent attack on their daughter last January. Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
Verb
  • Several told the Herald they were reprimanded for speaking to the media to promote the cultural events being hosted by the center.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Following the meeting, Green was reprimanded by a captain for failing to review the video with the officers.
    Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • MyPlate advised sticking to low-fat dairy, as seen in the low-fat yogurt and the glass of low-fat milk with dinner.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Be advised, though, that many of Carrizo Plain’s roads are dirt and become all but impassable in wet weather.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Young kids paddled near the shallow edges and bigger kids jumped off the cliffs above the swimming hole, causing the adults to gasp and scold.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Arms control advocates bemoaned the end of New START and warned of the imminent threat of a new arms race.
    VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The Department of Homeland Security warned in a bulletin that these crimes have increased over the last five years and lists 17 cases since 2014 of people attempting to poison their family members, using toxins such as ricin and cyanide, resulting in at least 11 deaths.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Trump has criticized the selection of Bad Bunny, and rock band Green Day, to perform at the Super Bowl.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • For example, if ST Engineering can make advanced vehicles in a country with more space for production plants than Singapore, the company would collaborate and teach them how to build them in a co-production effort.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Colleges and universities are teaching full courses dedicated to understanding Bad Bunny’s work as a site of critical inquiry.
    Dr. Carlos A Torre, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cuban officials have said existing US economic sanctions are largely to blame for the energy crisis, although critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But Connecticut Republicans — along with some Democrats — have for a long time blamed the lack of ample gas supply for the region’s high energy costs.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has already tried to tip the scales in one significant baseball matter, publicly chiding Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball’s commissioner, in the process.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • When Elliott told some of the women about her new contract, she was gently chided for accepting a low fee.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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