as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
even in church we were not free from Mother's familiar reproof of our ingrained tendency to fidget in our seats
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Recent Examples of reproof
Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.
—
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
So your best response is either to ignore the remark, which is a reproof in itself, or to make a joke of it.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
Florida and Texas have already allowed concerts to resume, though not without some issues: Steve Aoki and Diplo each got warnings from local police and reproof from the mayor of Tampa, Fla., for performing in front of maskless crowds during Super Bowl weekend in February.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2021
Such a man is a proper subject, not for reproof, but for medical treatment.
—Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Preceded by a setting of the Kaddish and opening with an evergreen reproof of antisemitism, the symphony is the kind of music that welcomes reflection.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022
When a boy in the front row decides to visit the girl sitting behind him, Hood gives him a gentle reproof.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2021
In response to the reproof, Clicks has issued an apology, and an explanation that at least two other companies were involved in approving the advert.
—Norma Young, Quartz Africa, 9 Sep. 2020
Proof, take a break of two or more days, reproof and then submit.
—Lee Shulman Bierer, chicagotribune.com, 17 Aug. 2020
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
So your best response is either to ignore the remark, which is a reproof in itself, or to make a joke of it.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
Florida and Texas have already allowed concerts to resume, though not without some issues: Steve Aoki and Diplo each got warnings from local police and reproof from the mayor of Tampa, Fla., for performing in front of maskless crowds during Super Bowl weekend in February.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2021
Such a man is a proper subject, not for reproof, but for medical treatment.
—Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Preceded by a setting of the Kaddish and opening with an evergreen reproof of antisemitism, the symphony is the kind of music that welcomes reflection.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022
When a boy in the front row decides to visit the girl sitting behind him, Hood gives him a gentle reproof.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2021
In response to the reproof, Clicks has issued an apology, and an explanation that at least two other companies were involved in approving the advert.
—Norma Young, Quartz Africa, 9 Sep. 2020
Proof, take a break of two or more days, reproof and then submit.
—Lee Shulman Bierer, chicagotribune.com, 17 Aug. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproof
Noun
-
Carr has multiple probes in progress, and his investigation into CBS over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris has drawn condemnations from both liberal and conservative advocacy groups that describe it as a threat to the Constitutional right to free speech.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
-
The politically explosive ruling drew condemnation from her right-wing allies in Europe and across the Atlantic.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The rekindled romance with bad-influence Tori led to lots of wild nights and mistakes on the job, which got him a reprimand from his lieutenant, Kidd.—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
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Over the course of the season, Langdon develops a bond with newcomer resident Mel (Taylor Dearden) while clashing hard with new intern Dr. Santos (Isa Briones), a hotshot herself who bristles against Langdon’s stern reprimands for her mistakes and oversteps.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Similarly, in the legal profession, lawyers who violate state bar codes of conduct are subject to discipline, such as censure, suspension, or loss of license to practice law.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
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Representative Lauren Boebert has criticized her colleague Representative Chrissy Houlahan, the Pennsylvania Democrat who introduced a motion of censure against the Colorado Republican on Monday.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reproof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproof. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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