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 However, in a Feb. 3 ruling, attorneys for both Baldoni and Lively were admonished to not publicly discuss the actors' competing civil lawsuits. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025 Last year’s 211-186 debacle caused commissioner Adam Silver to go off script and admonish the players for what was on display. Zach Harper, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025 In particular, Judge Reyes admonished the plaintiffs for waiting 21 days after the inspectors general were fired to request a temporary restraining order, an emergency motion that requires the court to move immediately to hear the case because the matter is so urgent. Chris Cameron, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025 Lydia shuts it down immediately and runs off to admonish herself for putting on that lipstick. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
Verb
  • Police had stern words for one teenager caught surfing and four others were also reprimanded for putting themselves and others in danger.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Trump and Vance reprimanded Zelensky, accusing him of lacking gratitude for U.S. aid.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For instance, a donor with a strong financial background could offer guidance on budgeting or cost management, while someone with technology expertise could advise on software solutions for data collection.
    Victoria Philips, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The loss of jobs and funding have impacted deep-red districts that went for Trump, whose constituents have delivered such blistering feedback at town halls that GOP leaders have advised Republicans in Congress to quit appearing at such events.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • According to Smith, James, who approached him in the third quarter during a timeout, scolded him for his commentary regarding his son and teammate, Bronny James.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Michelle Obama playfully scolded her husband, Barack Obama, on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Experts warn prices for many grocery store items will rise as a result.
    Danny Freeman, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Before the address started, the House Freedom Caucus posted on X warning Democrats they would be censured if there were any disruptive actions made.
    Lauren Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.
    Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Veterinarians work hard to become DVMs, and they’ve been taught to interpret symptoms and get to the proper diagnosis.
    Massimiliano Melis, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In a red carpet interview at SXSW this weekend, Affleck explained that making his kids work for their allowance helps curb some of their impulses to spend and teaches them the value of a dollar.
    Nicolas Vega, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Furthermore, anyone not on the bandwagon is chided as being out of touch.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • In the chamber, the atmosphere for Tuesday’s speech was much more caustic this time around, not just for Trump, who chided Democrats for not getting on board and applauding him, and the opposition party, with many of the members booing and brandishing signs calling out the president and Elon Musk.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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