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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reprove
Who has changed their name and has to reprove their identity?
—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Dec. 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
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—
Lauren Carasik,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Apr. 2015
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Dec. 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
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—
Lauren Carasik,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Apr. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove
Verb
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The judge overseeing the wrongful death civil case that John O'Keefe's family filed against Karen Read admonished more than a dozen lawyers involved in the case on Wednesday.
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Regardless, this issue could have resolved if the Giants had issued a statement straight away either defending their players’ First Amendment right to express their views or admonishing them for violating the term of the CBA.
Verb
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Polis was censured by the Colorado Democratic Party in May as a result of his decision letting Peters out of prison.
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The South Dakota Republican Party on Friday voted down a measure to censure Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) after the Senate failed to advance the SAVE America Act.
Verb
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Because many Black players and media members dislike her, many on the left have cast Clark and her fans as villains.
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Lauer, who publicly disliked his bulk relief role with the Blue Jays, is now returning to a traditional starting role with the Dodgers.
Verb
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Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.
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Wimbledon fashion is also something that can get patrons in trouble, with Andy Samberg saying he was reprimanded for wearing black jeans in the Royal Box.
Verb
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Eight of the primary winners who condemned the Gaza conflict were backed by American Priorities, a new pro-Palestinian super PAC supporting candidates who have been critical of Israel’s military actions.
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Lot is often described in the Qurʾān, and in subsequent interpretive traditions, in the role of condemning the men of Sodom for lusting after men rather than women.
Verb
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The program posed a massive political problem for Mamdani, who’s been criticized by both his allies and opponents for his stance.
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While state studies have criticized the state’s education governance model, voters have rejected at least four attempts dating back to 1928 to reform the position.
Verb
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Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos.
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Justice Barrett actually sounded kind of sharp, almost scolding, in the opinion in her criticism of the assertions made by the plaintiffs and some of the justices in the minority.
Verb
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Americans across the nation are being asked (or ordered) to conserve water, thanks to widespread drought made even worse by a punishing heat wave.
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Congress cannot diminish their pay to punish an unpopular decision.
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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