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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
But the moves have rattled financial markets and drawn rebuke from Democrats, as well as some Republicans. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 29 May 2025 Public officials decry attack The slayings drew sharp and immediate rebuke from U.S. and global leaders, with many claiming that hostility against Jewish people undergirded the attack. Ella Lee, The Hill, 24 May 2025
Verb
The weekend attacks prompted Trump to rebuke both Putin and Zelenskyy on his social media platform on Monday. Ellie Kaufman, ABC News, 26 May 2025 While questioning Smith and Miles, Brand was rebuked by the judge for trying to ask questions about Smith’s romantic history with other men, which Petrone said violated the state’s rape shield law. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
  • Politicians across New York offered similar condemnations.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
  • Condolences to Iran, condemnations of Israel Hezbollah and its leader, Naim Kassem, have condemned Israel’s attacks and offered condolences for the senior Iranian officers who were killed.
    Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • What follows is a series of painful-to-watch confrontations between the two, in which Ace reprimands Amaya for normal human behavior, like expecting the guy who chose her to show some romantic interest, in the low, measured tone of a psychopath.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 June 2025
  • Manford was reprimanded for the incident; a male coworker who had done something similar a month before faced no repercussions, according to court documents.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 June 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
  • Iran, meanwhile, will likely face censure this week from the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency over longstanding questions about its program.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • He was formally censured by the Senate in December 1954 for abusing his committee powers, effectively ending his political influence.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Judge Arun Subramanian slammed Combs shortly after the jury was excused for a lunch break on Thursday, June 5, admonishing him for attempting to influence jurors.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • At a Vanity Fair party, Diddy admonished Nash because Cassie’s hair was not in keeping with his dictum.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Rather than lecturing, Kahn recommends guiding them to draw their own conclusions.
    Lydia Wang, Parents, 20 May 2025
  • Trump stated during his big speech on the trip that his administration was not there to lecture the region on how to deal with its affairs.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 17 attorneys general in condemning Trump’s use of military forces in Los Angeles without state consent.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 14 June 2025
  • Countries in the region condemned Israel’s attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
Verb
  • Several Make America Great Again (MAGA) figures, such as Laura Loomer, are criticizing Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over his ties to the suspect in Saturday's deadly shooting.
    Mandy Taheri Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • Following the opening match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta between Canada and Argentina, Argentina’s players and head coach Lionel Scaloni criticized the playing surface.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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