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

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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

Under the Premier League’s general disciplinary rules, its board can issue a reprimand, impose a fine of up to £100,000 through its summary jurisdiction or refer an alleged breach to an independent commission. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 The internal affairs investigator recommended a verbal reprimand, which was approved by Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

She has been suspended and reprimanded but also sometimes got her punishments rescinded. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026 But the top management set early resumption as a key business target and harshly reprimanded a team working on a resumption permit because of the prolonged screening, which might have pressured them into wrongdoing, the report said. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reprimand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprimand

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

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 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 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

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

At the root of the crisis is inadequate laws to punish offenders and a poor judicial system, activists say.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Yeah, this is my PhD work, focused on the ways in which soybeans, so legumes, are able to discriminate and actually punish.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of punish

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

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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reprimand

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verb

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