1
as in admonished
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scolded
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 reprimanded
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
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Recent Examples of rebuked
Trump is rebuked by the public and also by some of his colleagues for the Obama posting.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
That sparked a back-and-forth between the offices as Johnson’s spokesperson said Burke’s office in fact provided feedback on the order’s language, which the state’s attorney’s team rebuked.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
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
The martial law order was unanimously rebuked by South Korea’s National Assembly in a 190-0 vote.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
Powell rebuked the probe as an effort to undermine the Fed's independence.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis City Council member Robin Wonsley (D) on Thursday rebuked the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota after a woman was shot and killed by one of the agency’s officers Wednesday.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
That sparked a back-and-forth between the offices as Johnson’s spokesperson said Burke’s office in fact provided feedback on the order’s language, which the state’s attorney’s team rebuked.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Even the National Rifle Association has rebuked a federal prosecutor who suggested that approaching law enforcement with a gun justifies being shot.
—Binaifer Nowrojee, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
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
The martial law order was unanimously rebuked by South Korea’s National Assembly in a 190-0 vote.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
Powell rebuked the probe as an effort to undermine the Fed's independence.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis City Council member Robin Wonsley (D) on Thursday rebuked the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota after a woman was shot and killed by one of the agency’s officers Wednesday.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuked
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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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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No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 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
-
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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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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Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, is one of the most prominent figures in a coaching culture that has long been criticized for prioritizing thinness, disordered eating, and early peak performance over athletes’ well-being.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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My alter ago has lectured, pleaded and begged my readers to run for their lives from Doritos, Ding Dongs and Sprite.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Michael Woroniecki lectured about Satan being a very powerful force.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The mayor and City Council censured Meza Gonzalez in September.—
Megan Rodriguez,
San Antonio Express-News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Board member Darnika Reed is on the outs and has been censured by the board after raising similar concerns.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, warm temperatures were blamed in part for high crash and injury rates.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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The hospital industry is often blamed for driving up health-care costs, too, but that story leaves out important facts.—
Chris Pope,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many Western governments have also condemned Lai’s prosecution and previously called for his release.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Lai's sentence condemned around the world Lai's sentencing could heighten Beijing's diplomatic tension with foreign governments, which have criticized Lai's conviction and sentencing.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebuked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuked. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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