ADMONISH Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

admonish

verb

ad-ˈmä-nish

Definition of admonish next

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

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 If there isn’t a polite way to prevent this from happening, is there a gracious way to admonish them for luring me into a conversation about their cute dog, only to ruin my day with a graphic account of the cute dog’s tragic demise? —

Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025 Spencer was years ahead of other Republicans in admonishing the GOP to be more welcoming to Latinos. —

George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 Giuliani has been frequently disruptive at previous court hearings in the case, and Judge Lewis Liman has admonished him several times. —

Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses should jointly admonish companies not to go backwards regarding DEI. —

Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for admonish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish

Verb

Witnesses told investigators that Sanchez had planned to reprimand Jimenez for his allegedly poor work ethic and other faults, according to court filings.

— Gary Klien, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
In 2011, in the southern city of Daraa, a group of teen-age boys were caught painting anti-government graffiti on a wall, and, rather than simply reprimand them, secret police tortured them to death.

— Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025