REBUKE Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rebuke 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rebuke next

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

rebuke

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈbyük

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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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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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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of rebuke

Noun

Ferré went on with a scathing rebuke of Trump’s behavior and its potential consequences. —

Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024 The review, conducted at the direction of President Biden, was at times a scathing rebuke of the Secret Service and its culture. —

Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024

Verb

A week out from the election, the event mostly steered clear of politics, although Aubrey Plaza took the opportunity to rebuke comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s recent Puerto Rico joke from Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally this past weekend with a direct, and succinct, expletive. —

Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024 Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters Ruling party rebuked Public frustration with the LDP is rooted in the party’s recent slush fund scandal, which came at a time when many Japanese are caught between stagnant wages and rising prices. —

Takehiko Kambayashi, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rebuke

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke

Noun

At the end of his first term, his standing among GOP lawmakers was precarious: The Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol building led to condemnations from both sides of the aisle and his historic second impeachment.

Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
Israel has managed to destroy most of Gaza and is in the process of pulverizing parts of Lebanon to international condemnation and outrage and political and diplomatic isolation, but without facing effective efforts to rein it in.

Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024