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rebuke

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuke contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuke are admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use admonish instead of rebuke?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebuke, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would reprimand be a good substitute for rebuke?

The words reprimand and rebuke can be used in similar contexts, but 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 rebuke?

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 rebuke?

Although the words reprove and rebuke have much in common, 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 rebuke
Noun
Foreign Aid Faces $8 Billion in Cuts as Critics Warn of Global Fallout The package of cuts includes a rollback of approximately $8 billion in foreign aid—drawing sharp rebukes from Democrats who warn the cuts could have deadly consequences and undermine U.S. global influence. Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 The withdrawal is likely to draw swift rebukes from Western governments, which have been urging Tehran to allow a resumption of IAEA visits since a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war last month. Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 5 July 2025
Verb
At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking Sunday during the second Security Council meeting in three days, rebuked the U.S. for escalating the conflict in Iran. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 June 2025 Federal judges have begun to rebuke his authoritarian actions. Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
  • The opera house amendment was met with fierce condemnation from Trump critics, including Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy’s 32-year-old grandson.
    Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 28 July 2025
  • An attack against a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the weekend that killed nearly 50 civilians drew condemnation from global leaders.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Officer Juan Gonzalez, a 12-year Miami Gardens police veteran, described being reprimanded for speaking to other Hispanic officers at a crime scene.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
  • Ruben is sailing across the Atlantic with them (which Duncan rightfully reprimands him for later – like really, who brings a small child across the ocean in a sailboat?).
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Minutes later, Boone was spotted appearing to scold first-base coach Travis Chapman for Chisholm getting thrown out.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
  • But instead of yelling or scolding, Hocker speaks to her daughter gently, and with compassion.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • Behind the scenes of the Laurel Libby censure The past controversy involving the Greely High School athlete had a wide-ranging ripple effect on the state's congress.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025
  • But its uranium enrichment has reached near weapons-grade levels, and on Thursday, the U.N.'s atomic watchdog censured Iran for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • The back-to-back performances came after Ware’s effort was admonished by coach Erik Spoelstra at a Saturday practice.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • He was admonished once by the judge for nodding enthusiastically toward jurors during a successful stretch of cross-examination by one of his lawyers.
    Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The type of boy to break up fights at school and lecture his fellow classmates, Steeno added.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
  • The designer published his autobiography, continued to lecture about fashion.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Arab states are now publicly condemning Hamas’ violence and calling for an end to its control of Gaza, a shift from their previous positions.
    Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Multiple Virginia Republicans, including Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, condemned the act of violence and offered their prayers for Vogler and his family.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Rather than opt for a two-year extension of the current lease, which has been criticized by some residents since it was signed in 1997, the Bengals and the county agreed on a new 11-year lease.
    Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Burchett is one of many Republican lawmakers who have criticized Soros’s involvement in U.S. politics and the megadonor’s support of the Democratic Party.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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