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
Verb
  • Candle Media has hired Raine Group to advise on a possible sale of social publisher ATTN:, two sources confirmed to Axios.
    Tim Baysinger, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The guide advises passengers to be considerate of those around them, particularly on longer journeys where prolonged exposure to smells or sounds can cause discomfort.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • At one point, an appalled Robinson came outside to scold her daughter.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
  • On the other side of the FaceTime call is none other than Set It Off star Vivica Fox, who scolds Glo for sleeping in.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Law enforcement officials warned Trump last year that Tehran had placed operatives in the U.S. with access to surface-to-air missiles.
    Alex Isenstadt, Axios, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Confusion, tears and 'Hunger Games' at USAID as agency prepares to go dark Current and former officials warn that dismantling USAID could create a global vacuum that could be filled by U.S. adversaries like China.
    Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The agreement is already being heavily criticized by New York City Council leaders, after prosecutors resigned in protest against a directive from Trump's Department of Justice to dismiss corruption charges against Adams so the mayor could assist with the Republican president's immigration agenda.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The Reimagine Tomorrow initiative has been heavily criticized by conservatives in recent years.
    James Factora, Them, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Among the influencers in those meetings was Arturo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian of African descent who, as a young child, often wondered about the lack of African history taught in his classrooms, an interest that formed the cornerstone of his lifework of research and preservation.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Lincoln Mitchell, a political analyst who teaches in Columbia University’s political science department and is a former adviser to Georgian Dream, agreed.
    Elizabeth McBride, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That, after all, would open up these politicians to scrutiny and blame if the wars didn’t go well.
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
  • After the 2023 Supreme Court ruling, which deemed affirmative action in university admissions unconstitutional, attacks on DEI proliferated, and the term became a right-wing bogeyman blamed for almost anything that goes wrong in any workplace.
    Kizzy Cox, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Making a statement: The send-a-message-to-the-Academy vote Dune: Part Two – Jon Spaihts & Denis Villeneuve The guild could chide the Academy’s writers branch by awarding this film’s script, which the branch declined to even nominate.
    Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
  • After briefly chiding President-elect Donald Trump for railing against California politicians, Kimmel turned the spotlight onto first responders, including the inmate crews that have been battling the wildfires.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near admonish

Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on admonish

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