REPROVE Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'reprove' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprove are admonish , chide , rebuke , reprimand , and reproach . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

Q: When is 'admonish' a more appropriate choice than 'reprove'?

While the synonyms admonish and reprove are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: In what contexts can 'rebuke' take the place of 'reprove'?

The synonyms rebuke and reprove are sometimes interchangeable, but rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reprimand' instead of 'reprove'?

The meanings of reprimand and reprove largely overlap; however, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: How do 'reproach' and 'chide' relate to one another, in the sense of 'reprove'?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

reprove

verb

ri-ˈprüv

Definition of reprove

as in to admonish

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to censure

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dislike

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprove contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reprove are admonish, chide, rebuke, reprimand, and reproach. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

When is admonish a more appropriate choice than reprove?

While the synonyms admonish and reprove are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

In what contexts can rebuke take the place of reprove?

The synonyms rebuke and reprove are sometimes interchangeable, but rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When is it sensible to use reprimand instead of reprove?

The meanings of reprimand and reprove largely overlap; however, 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 reprove?

Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

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 reprove Who has changed their name and has to reprove their identity? — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026 Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence. — Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024 Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis. — Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023 In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church. — Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023 Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate. — Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove

Verb

In April 2025, Braxton Keith stopped a show to admonish fans for tossing beer and elaborated on the issue during an appearance on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Despite being a point of contention for Prince William and Prince Harry, who’ve publicly admonished him for revealing personal details about Diana for financial gain, this memoir is only one of several royal tell-alls penned by Burrell.

— Sophie Dunne, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of admonish

Verb

Rather than being censured for the debacle, however, Li was elevated by Xi to the top ranks of the Politburo Standing Committee in 2022 and made state premier in 2023.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the longtime congressman was censured in Congress for this matter, a subversion of democracy.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of censure

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 dislike

Verb

She was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her stunt with the bullhorn.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
My mother reprimanded me for taking a sip from a cocktail glass without first removing the little plastic swizzle stick that often comes in a drink.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

El Sayed has not publicly condemned Piker but has sought to distance himself from the influencer since winning the nomination.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Heated protest and press conference At a heated press conference at the shooting scene Thursday night, several local politicians condemned the shooting.

— Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

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
Osborn has been traveling across Nebraska to hold meetings in all 93 counties, and has repeatedly criticized Ricketts for not holding town halls to meet with constituents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

Others criticized Anderson for seemingly scolding fans and trying to tell them where to sit.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Now the older generation is scolding workers for having a different view on interview etiquette without recognizing the cold reality of today’s job market.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

But their complaints come as Lecornu's government seeks to rein in public spending to appease skittish bond markets, which have punished France more harshly than many of its peers this year, amid a global bond market rout.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Last month, a former Cornell University student identified only as Jane Doe sued seven fraternity brothers and the university, claiming the school failed to protect her and punish the perpetrators.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of punish

Browse Nearby Words

reproofs

reprove

reproved

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of reprove

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes