REPRIMAND Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'reprimand' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprimand are admonish , chide , rebuke , reproach , and reprove . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: Where would 'admonish' be a reasonable alternative to 'reprimand'?

The synonyms admonish and reprimand are sometimes interchangeable, but admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: When would 'rebuke' be a good substitute for 'reprimand'?

Although the words rebuke and reprimand have much in common, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: How do 'reproach' and 'chide' relate to one another, in the sense of 'reprimand'?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

Q: In what contexts can 'reprove' take the place of 'reprimand'?

The meanings of reprove and reprimand largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

reprimand 1 of 2

noun

ˈre-prə-ˌmand

Definition of reprimand

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval while reviewing the troops, the officer delivered a curt reprimand to one of the soldiers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reprimand

2 of 2

verb

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings reprimanded the summer intern for her constant tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to admonish

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault reprimanded the student for using the lax grammar and punctuation of text messaging in a term paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the president was forced to reprimand the general for publicly voicing his disagreements with the nation's foreign policy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprimand contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprimand are admonish, chide, rebuke, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

Where would admonish be a reasonable alternative to reprimand?

The synonyms admonish and reprimand are sometimes interchangeable, but admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would rebuke be a good substitute for reprimand?

Although the words rebuke and reprimand have much in common, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of reprimand?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

In what contexts can reprove take the place of reprimand?

The meanings of reprove and reprimand largely overlap; however, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

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 reprimand

Noun

If this committee finds Ammons at fault on any charge, the committee would make a disciplinary recommendation, which could be a reprimand, censure, expulsion from the House or no penalty. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 After a brief examination, Quinn recommended treatment with hand sanitizer applied into the ear canals during the visit and at home, according to a reprimand issued by the medical board July 16. — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Verb

At the time, two officers were removed from their positions and three others reprimanded. — Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Alaves' Ángel Pérez was reprimanded by coach Quique Sánchez Flores after being substituted and punching the bench several times. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprimand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprimand

Noun

El-Sayed put distance between himself and Piker on Wednesday following intraparty condemnation of Piker’s comments on American Jews.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
If an agreement was not reached outside of court, the city filed for condemnation.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemnation

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
In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

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
Some speakers admonished the county commission for shooting down the moratorium proposal.

— Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

Two Republicans voted against censuring Edwards, despite the recommendation.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Minneola City Councilman David Yeager’s efforts to annex his new home into the city earlier this summer sparked a nasty debate on the council that led to two members being censured last week for incivility.

— James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Robert Pozen, who lectures at MIT Sloan School of Management and was formerly president of Fidelity Investments, has an answer to the obvious question about who inspects this.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of lecture

Verb

Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
That war ended in a humiliating defeat by an enemy regarded as much weaker, and many tsarist officials blamed the outcome on Japanese spies and saboteurs.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blame

Verb

If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks.

— Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
If the teams refuse to enroll the players who benefit from the TRO, those players could petition Hoffman to clarify that his order also blocks the SEC from punishing schools.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of punish

Verb

The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Browse Nearby Words

reprieving

reprimand

reprimanded

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“Reprimand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprimand. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reprimand

noun

verb

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