REPROVES Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

reproves

verb

present tense third-person singular of reprove

as in admonishes

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better

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as in censures

to express public or formal disapproval of the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school

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as in dislikes

to hold an unfavorable opinion of the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproves

Verb

Sinon admonishes his king for failing to properly honor Ithaca’s dead soldiers, contributing to Odysseus’s guilt.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026
Judge admonishes Musk over social media use Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, one of its largest investors, with proceeds going to OpenAI’s charitable arm.

— Deepa Seetharaman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of admonishes

Verb

Being a fly on the wall is precisely what Hard Knocks makes viewers feel like in the moment when Head Coach Mike Macdonald reprimands linebacker Derick Hall for getting too close to a quarterback.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
The emperor reprimands her for being late for the rainmaking ritual.

— Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026

Definition of reprimands

Verb

Beyond questions of due process, Kelly also challenged the administration's assertion that its actions were based on professional journalistic standards rather than coverage the president dislikes.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
An employee who dislikes their manager may lament having to see them in person.

— Christos Makridis, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of dislikes

Verb

Some intergenerational sparring ensues, as Kevin scolds Arthur for his more outré boomer comments, and Arthur in turn sneers at his grandson’s millennial lameness.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of scolds

Verb

The documentary condemns The Swan for manufacturing reality, while offering its own more morally satisfying reality.

— Danielle Pergament, Allure, 29 Sep. 2026
The government silences critics, shuts down free press and condemns other political parties.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of condemns

Verb

These days, the Ambassador has to handle a different set of challenges such as handling the fallout when the boss criticizes the British Prime Minister on social media.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
One candidate promises to lower gas and grocery prices and criticizes the incumbent for not doing so (as if politicians can control the market).

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizes

Verb

However, a Haitian source who is familiar with the issue, blames Green for the delays.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
The American Entertainment Alliance blames the current state of industry consolidation on the end of the FCC’s Financial Interest & Syndication Rules more than 30 years ago.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of blames

Verb

As the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises proceed, North Korea denounces them as invasion rehearsals, launches missiles and vows stronger deterrence, even as analysts say scaling back drills could weaken long-term allied readiness.

— Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
The project denounces Haiti’s justice system through the story of a woman imprisoned for years without trial and later judged not by law, but by scripture.

— Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026

Definition of denounces

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.

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reprovers

reproves

reproving

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

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Synonyms of reproves

verb

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