REBUKE Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of rebuke are admonish , chide , reprimand , reproach , and reprove . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: When is it sensible to use 'admonish' instead of 'rebuke'?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebuke , admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

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

The words reprimand and rebuke can be used in similar contexts, but reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

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

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 'rebuke'?

Although the words reprove and rebuke have much in common, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

rebuke 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rebuke

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval delivered a stinging rebuke to the Congress, calling for an end to backstabbing and arguing

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rebuke

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈbyük

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) so as to correct a fault the father was forced to rebuke his son for the spendthrift ways he had adopted since arriving at college

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as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches

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as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of in a rare move, the state's supreme court rebuked the governor for trying to circumvent one of its recent rulings

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuke contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuke are admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use admonish instead of rebuke?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebuke, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would reprimand be a good substitute for rebuke?

The words reprimand and rebuke can be used in similar contexts, but reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

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

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 rebuke?

Although the words reprove and rebuke have much in common, 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 rebuke

Noun

Azaria’s 2017 manslaughter conviction, for a killing caught on cellphone video, was a rare rebuke of a soldier’s battlefield conduct. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 The agency’s new director issued an unusually harsh public rebuke. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Verb

Late Sunday, the CDC appeared to rebuke Pennsylvania’s handling of its measles outbreak. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026 He was rebuked by both Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Undersecretary Paul Wolfowitz. — Matthew Warshauer, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebuke

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke

Noun

Trump’s move drew bipartisan condemnation from lawmakers who backed the measure overwhelmingly.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu has criticized the violence but has taken few steps to crack down on incidents that have drawn international condemnation and sanction plans by longtime Israeli allies, including Britain.

— Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

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

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 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
Rather than being censured for the debacle, however, Li was elevated by Xi to the top ranks of the Politburo Standing Committee in 2022 and made state premier in 2023.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of censure

Verb

The restrictions emerged just days after Trump admonished Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the press, calling on the leader to step down and hold wartime elections.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Santa hurries away to save Christmas after admonishing Jack for not listening to Sally.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

The brazen, unmasked calls to erase Israel triggered fierce bipartisan backlash from lawmakers condemning the rising wave of open extremism.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
State election groups condemned the mailings, saying staff should not fear for their safety.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemn

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rebuilt

rebuke

rebuked

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“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rebuke

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verb

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Synonyms of rebuke

noun

verb

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