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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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3
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebuke
Lathan Watts, National Review, 6 May 2025
The news of the trip, which was also announced by Buckingham Palace, is seen by analysts as a clear rebuke to calls by Mr. Trump to make Canada the 51st state because Charles is also Canada’s official head of state.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 8 May 2025
The coast guard also rebuked China for failing to enforce its own annual fishing ban, applied to much of the South China Sea from May 1 to August 16.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Noun
State lawmakers pushing for this madness might deserve to reap a political whirlwind and a judicial rebuke, but how many children of Colorado will be harmed in the meantime?
—Lathan Watts, National Review, 6 May 2025
The news of the trip, which was also announced by Buckingham Palace, is seen by analysts as a clear rebuke to calls by Mr. Trump to make Canada the 51st state because Charles is also Canada’s official head of state.
—Ian Austen, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Verb
Leo in February tweeted a National Catholic Reporter article rebuking U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is a convert to Catholicism.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 8 May 2025
The coast guard also rebuked China for failing to enforce its own annual fishing ban, applied to much of the South China Sea from May 1 to August 16.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
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It must be asked not as condemnation, but as a doorway to deeper understanding—of her, of ourselves, and of the social and emotional architecture that keeps so many of us bound in silence, shame, and survival.—
Shayla Brown,
Essence,
19 May 2025
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The death of Rajab, while one of thousands of children killed in Gaza since Israeli launched its military offensive following the terror attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7 2023, sparked global condemnation, with student protestors at Columbia University renaming overtaken buildings in honor of the victim.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The justices also reprimanded federal authorities for failing to provide the detainees with more due process under the Alien Enemies Act.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
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One of the central conflicts begins when the cute five-year-old daughter, I-Jing (Nina Ye), is reprimanded by her otherwise aloof grandfather for being left-handed.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
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In 2021, then-Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., was censured after sharing an anime video of himself killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and swinging swords at Biden.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
16 May 2025
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At the time, his House Un-American Activities Committee was causing undue terror around the nation, but thanks to Murrow’s newscasts on CBS, the junior senator from Wisconsin was ultimately investigated and censured by 1954.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Trump has made similar comments before – admonishing Moscow for its onslaught on Ukraine’s civilians, while also expressing broader grief at the tragedy of war in general, rather than fury at the Kremlin’s specific massacres, say of nine children at a Kryvyi Rih playground days earlier.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
14 Apr. 2025
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Cook County Judge Angela Petrone admonished Brand on Tuesday for delving into questions about Smith’s romantic history after being told not to do so the day before.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
Verb
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We’ve often been lectured by people all over the place about how the United States needs to continue to be a beacon for those who are oppressed abroad.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2025
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Geragos, 67, the criminal defense lawyer known for his roster of celebrity clients, was lectured in a Manhattan federal court this week after making statements about the case on a podcast.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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In discussing the Afrikaners, Trump will encourage Ramaphosa's government to condemn what the White House official described as incendiary rhetoric against them by politicians.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Prompted by a petition from white residents in 1924, the Manhattan City Beach council voted to condemn the land to build a public park, driving the Bruce family out of the area.—
Mariette Williams,
Essence,
21 May 2025
Verb
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In the Verizon and T-Mobile deals, the FCC only approved the transaction after each company agreed to end DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies criticized by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2025
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Among those who criticized Levi's comments was Tony award-winning Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz, who slammed the actor for using Creel's death to promote an anti-vax agenda.—
Mekishana Pierre Published,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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