ADMONISHING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

admonishing 1 of 2

adjective

ad-ˈmä-ni-shiŋ

Definition of admonishing

as in warning

serving as or offering a warning shot an admonishing glance at me just as I was about to spill the beans

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admonishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of admonish

as in reprimanding

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault admonished her for littering

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in advising

to give advice to my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of admonishing

Adjective

Nevertheless, Waterbar received an admonishing phone call from team Drake. — Brock Keeling, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Oct. 2022 Rose protests the admonishing tone, confidently signaling that the French are no better than her. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022 But articles also popped up admonishing parents for writing about their kids at all. — Heather Lanier, Longreads, 4 Mar. 2021

Verb

Davis was much more somber, and his attorney, Wayne Higgins, is heard frequently admonishing his client for volunteering unnecessary information. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 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. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 In the viral video after the shooting, neighbors can be heard angrily admonishing officers for killing the dog. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 The other night Charles Barkley was admonishing people to stop wringing their hands about the Thunder being too physical with Wembanyama. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026 Tisch lauded her officers for taking action while admonishing the dangers of violent crime. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026 The outlet reported that the mother of Jamieson’s child spoke out in court, admonishing him for the violent attack on their daughter last January. — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026 These ridiculous charges led Swifties to bemoan the current political climate, admonishing left-leaning commentators for going overboard in their attempts to identify signs of cryptofascism in Swift’s work. — Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2025 Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro sent a note to staff Friday, thanking them for the work and continued focus, while admonishing YouTube and its parent company Google for the dispute. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonishing

Adjective

The bureau also will post more warning notices at 750 livestock sale facilities and review other potential changes to federal regulations.

— SCOTT SONNER, Star Tribune, 27 July 2021
In response, statistical authorities around the world could do little but issue warning press releases.

— Andrew Whitby, Time, 17 Apr. 2020

Definition of warning

Verb

Lacking credibility While the grand jury found Hay’s testimony transparent and credible, the testimony of Jeff Aaron, the lawyer advising the Hope Florida Foundation’s board, was not, according to the report.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Pitchers are disguising their four-seamers up with more cutters in than ever before, so just advising him to be more aggressive in the zone is not good enough.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of advising

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

The scene in her first year teaching a Digital Arts class at her alma mater has been somewhat different.

— Austin Horn August 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Progressing as an educator, from teaching to history department chair at the Washington campus two years ago, District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia chose Roman-Melendez to become the assistant principal at North Elementary School.

— Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of teaching

Verb

Republican lawmaker Carl DeMaio of San Diego has vocalized his opposition in discussions of the bill, criticizing the idea of providing funding to outlets that make political endorsements.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Yiannopoulos rose to prominence through his provocative statements criticizing political correctness, feminism and Islam.

— Chris Arnold, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

The back-and-forth prompted Steiner to send a letter denying Hawley’s claims and chiding him for a lack of civility.

— Jack Harvel July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Hokit, who has a history of making tasteless comments after his fights, including the same Obama jab, drew mixed reaction from the UFC Freedom 250 crowd — and also from social media users, with some repeating the false claim in the comments on Hokit’s Instagram page and others chiding it.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026

Definition of chiding

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“Admonishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonishing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of admonishing

adjective

verb

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