as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
delivered a stinging rebuke to the Congress, calling for an end to backstabbing and arguing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to reprimand
to criticize (someone) so as to correct a fault
the father was forced to rebuke his son for the spendthrift ways he had adopted since arriving at college
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to censure
to express public or formal disapproval of
in a rare move, the state's supreme court rebuked the governor for trying to circumvent one of its recent rulings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebuke
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Pacheco recorded the police visit to her home in a video that went viral and prompted rebukes from free-speech advocates and candidates for Florida governor.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
The courts have repeatedly rebuked that Orange County city’s lawsuits and the city is now facing a loss of its local zoning control and potential fines.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Noun
Others view the outcome as a rebuke of the White House.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Pacheco recorded the police visit to her home in a video that went viral and prompted rebukes from free-speech advocates and candidates for Florida governor.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Giants aggressively pursued Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams according to a recent report from The Athletic but Washington’s front office rebuked the deal.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
The courts have repeatedly rebuked that Orange County city’s lawsuits and the city is now facing a loss of its local zoning control and potential fines.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
-
The immigration crackdown and shootings drew widespread condemnation and calls for federal authorities to leave.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Nobody would have been surprised to hear Bad Bunny use one of the year’s biggest stages to levy direct condemnation of the administration’s dehumanizing bigotry.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The complaint is seeking a $10,000 fine and a public reprimand or censure for actions that Ajayi took while running for office in 2024 while she was employed by Broward County.—
Carlton Gillespie,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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The investigation led the board of the Business & Industrial Development Authority, known as BIDA, to publicly censure the former chairman, Tracey Wyatt.—
Reed Williams,
AJC.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday, reports circulated that Cioni, Nancy Guthrie’s son-in-law, had been identified as a possible suspect, but Sheriff Nanos quickly shot that down in a note that admonished members of the media who reported him as a person of interest without confirmation.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
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In a series of emails to the Post last week shared with Semafor, Newsom Chief Deputy Director of Communications Tara Gallegos admonished the paper over various details of its articles.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes the messages got feisty, with Epstein lecturing Karp over a fee.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Masons were members of the Congregational Church where Codding lectured.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The couple saw major flood damage during the same set of storms, with a wall collapsing and the house later condemned by the city.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
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In an internal memo last year, Prasad wrote that the streamlined method would no longer be permitted – leading more than a dozen former FDA commissioners to pen an editorial condemning the statements.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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