rebuke 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rebukenext
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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rebuke

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈbyük How to pronounce rebuke (audio)
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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rebuke contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rebuke are admonish, chide, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use admonish instead of rebuke?

While in some cases nearly identical to rebuke, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When would reprimand be a good substitute for rebuke?

The words reprimand and rebuke can be used in similar contexts, but reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

How do reproach and chide relate to one another, in the sense of rebuke?

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 rebuke?

Although the words reprove and rebuke have much in common, 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 rebuke
Noun
Plus what the Supreme Court chief justice's rebuke of Trump this week tells us about a showdown in the courts, and as sextortion grows in the US, so does the prevalence of individuals or companies that charge to retrieve explicit photos and then may fail to do so. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 The rare rebuke of the central bank by Trump came weeks after his tariffs touched off a global trade war that sent stocks reeling and triggered concern about a possible recession. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked calls to impeach judges with a rare statement this week. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025 Chief Justice John Roberts rebukes Trump's call for impeachment of judge. —Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
  1. condemnation
  2. reprimand
  3. scold
  4. censure
  5. admonish
  6. lecture
  7. condemn
  8. criticize
Noun
  • The rock legend's public condemnation of Trump is not new.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • His condemnation was echoed by former CIA, National Security Council and FBI counterterrorism leader Phil Mudd and retired four star Army General Brian McCaffrey.
    — Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of condemnation
Verb
  • Logical consistency would require these legislators to reprimand PURA’s rigid approach and call for more regulatory flexibility so utilities can invest proactively in essential cybersecurity measures.
    — Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
  • As John Cena and The Rock's Third Man WWE Could Steal Away Top AEW Star: Report Strickland recounted a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the group was reprimanded for a member's aggressive phone call to a WWE office employee regarding B-Fab's flight details.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • Omari Hardwick scolded an interviewer who misquoted him in a seeming attempt to stir up drama between the actor and Power producer 50 Cent.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • On Wednesday, the couple jokingly addressed the awkward interview in which Hilaria scolded Alec for interrupting her during a red carpet moment that has since gone viral.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of scold
Verb
  • The move — which was censured by foreign automakers and leaders and led to the fall of shares in stocks for companies like General Motors and Ford, per the Associated Press — escalated tensions in a looming trade war.
    — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Drexel University in Philadelphia was censured for not pursuing tougher disciplinary measures when a vocally pro-Israeli Jewish student’s dorm room was set on fire three days after the Hamas attacks.
    — Helen Coster and Julia Harte, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of censure
Verb
  • For the past several years, clips from the show have circulated on TikTok and X—with certain viewers admonishing Banks for some of her views about the modeling industry.
    — Essence, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The judge also admonished state officials for refusing to make the new nitrogen hypoxia protocol publicly available.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of admonish
Verb
  • For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.
    — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Boutros has also lectured at the University of Chicago Law School since 2011 and published two books on white-collar law.
    — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • Addressing reporters outside the chamber, Democrats condemned the GOP’s anti-trans agenda and pointed out that even though the legislative session ends on Friday, lawmakers have still not passed a state budget for the year — the only law they are required to pass, according to WSB-TV.
    — Samantha Riedel, Them., 3 Apr. 2025
  • Cost Of Reciprocal Tariffs China and other parts of the Asia Pacific region, Europe, large portions of South America, and the rest of North America have strongly condemned U.S. actions as an unreasonable overturning of global order, as Reuters has reported.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • In a video posted to X, Brand thanked his fans for messages of support, then criticized the British government and legal system before addressing the charges directly.
    — Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Critics of executive overreach have long criticized the Office of Legal Counsel as too permissive.
    — Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticize

Browse Nearby Words

rebuilt
rebuke
rebuked
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Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of rebuke for Spanish Speakers

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