admonish

verb

ad-ˈmä-nish How to pronounce admonish (audio)
Definition of admonishnext
1
as in to reprimand
to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault admonished her for littering

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to advise
to give advice to my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb admonish contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of admonish are chide, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

Where would rebuke be a reasonable alternative to admonish?

The words rebuke and admonish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use reprimand instead of admonish?

While in some cases nearly identical to admonish, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

How are the words reproach and chide related as synonyms of admonish?

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

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

When is reprove a more appropriate choice than admonish?

The words reprove and admonish can be used in similar contexts, but 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 admonish In April 2025, Braxton Keith stopped a show to admonish fans for tossing beer and elaborated on the issue during an appearance on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026 Despite being a point of contention for Prince William and Prince Harry, who’ve publicly admonished him for revealing personal details about Diana for financial gain, this memoir is only one of several royal tell-alls penned by Burrell. — Sophie Dunne, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 All officers were also admonished that improper access of ALPR and other law enforcement systems is grounds for termination, Joseph said. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026 All persons having business before this honorable court are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the court is now sitting. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
  1. reprimand
  2. advise
  3. scold
  4. warn
  5. criticize
  6. teach
  7. blame
  8. chide
Verb
  • The Denver school board censured director Monica Hunter on Thursday night, the third time in five years that the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district has publicly reprimanded a colleague.
    — Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • She was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her stunt with the bullhorn.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Engineering textbooks advise practitioners to limit any settlement to around 1 to 3 inches, depending on the soil.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In a social media post, police advised people nearby to stay alert, be aware of their surroundings and keep children and pets close.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of advise
Verb
  • By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • District of Columbia Judge Ana Reyes angrily scolded government attorneys in a hearing to block the government from cutting down more trees at East Potomac Golf Course.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • The Reuters news agency reported Tuesday that the Saudi system to warn civilians of a military attack went silent days before the latest series of deadly Houthi strikes.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • That list, the company warns, poses a risk for its ability to get adequate and affordable insurance.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of warn
Verb
  • Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, criticized the state's election officials for not cooperating with the department's demands.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But others criticized the tactics used and family separations.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • The company identifies Time-to-Skill—the time required to teach a robot a task and achieve reliable execution—as a key measure of progress.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Formerly, Christians were taught that greed--that is, the immoderate pursuit and love of money--was a sin.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of teach
Verb
  • Analysts blame the brand’s reliance on Chuck Taylors and question whether Nike might sell it, though Nike says Converse remains an important part of its portfolio.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Macron acknowledged legitimate concerns of the protesters, while blaming the far left for the violence.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of blame
Verb
  • In the second trial, the judge chided Evans for striking a juror based on race.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The advertising campaign has drawn criticism from those on the Left and the Right, who chided the administration for using taxpayer dollars for ads that appear political in nature.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of chide

Browse Nearby Words

admixtures
admonish
admonished
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Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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