1
as in to admonish
to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault
my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to censure
to express public or formal disapproval of
the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dislike
to hold an unfavorable opinion of
the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music
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Recent Examples of reprove
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023
In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church.
—Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023
In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church.
—Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove
Verb
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At the White House on Friday, Vance also admonished Zelenskyy for not expressing gratitude to the United States.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
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The Journal has questioned Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stances on vaccines, knocked Trump for pulling security privileges for former top aides and admonished him for pardoning Jan. 6 prisoners.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On Thursday morning, his colleagues returned to the chamber to censure Green by a vote of 224-198-2.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Ten Democrats joined all their Republican colleagues to censure Green.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
What remained unclear is how much of a lasting boost China’s economy could get from the ingenuity of one start-up, or how much confidence the business community could derive from the sudden friendliness of a leader who has a reputation for distrusting and disliking the private sector.—
Li Yuan,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
-
So many people love him and so many people really dislike him.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
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Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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House Majority Leader Matt Moonen condemned Libby in a statement on the House floor.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
26 Feb. 2025
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In an extraordinary illustration of the re-alignment on Ukraine, the U.S. sided with Russia in a vote against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia, which passed on Monday with the support of the U.S.' traditional Western allies.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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While Chiuri has been criticized by some for playing it safe with commercial collections that helped to turbocharge Dior’s growth, Prigent gradually understood her messaging is anything but conservative.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
27 Feb. 2025
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Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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When failure is punished, people stop trying for fear of punishment, and progress slows to a crawl.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2025
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Treat Failures As Learning Opportunities Tech leaders who punish failures undermine innovation and ultimately squash creativity.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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