admonish

verb

ad-ˈmä-nish How to pronounce admonish (audio)
Definition of admonishnext
1
as in to reprimand
to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault admonished her for littering

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to advise
to give advice to my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Zelensky said Trump was falling into a Russian disinformation trap — and was quickly admonished by Vice President JD Vance about the perils of publicly criticizing the new president. —Aamer Madhani, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025 The judge admonished us daily to not discuss any of the details of the trial with anybody. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025 However, in a Feb. 3 ruling, attorneys for both Baldoni and Lively were admonished to not publicly discuss the actors' competing civil lawsuits. —Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025 Last year’s 211-186 debacle caused commissioner Adam Silver to go off script and admonish the players for what was on display. —Zach Harper, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for admonish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for admonish
  1. reprimand
  2. advise
  3. scold
  4. warn
  5. criticize
  6. teach
  7. blame
  8. chide
Verb
  • Mickey Rourke was reprimanded on Celebrity Big Brother UK after using a homophobic slur toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The mom comes back and then reprimanded me for not supporting her baby’s head.
    — Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • That likely will not be received well by China, which advised the Trump administration to cancel all China tariffs Wednesday, NPR reported.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The acquisition, advised by Rothschild & Co, is expected to be completed before the end of the month.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of advise
Verb
  • Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
  • After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.
    — Charlie Mason, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of scold
Verb
  • This rare dissent comes as the stock market shows signs of volatility, and economists warn the tariffs could trigger a recession.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Take the quiz here … TOURIST TERROR – US embassy in hot spot issues assault warning for women renting jet skis.
    — FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of warn
Verb
  • One creative and former National Design Award winner, who has a work visa to be in the U.S., criticized the Trump administration, but declined to comment, due to his residency.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • On Wednesday, Trump announced sweeping tariffs that have been mostly criticized by agricultural and food groups for their potential to shrink markets for farmers and raise consumer prices.
    — Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Listen to this article Rick Pitino’s benching of RJ Luis Jr. was not about teaching the St. John’s star a lesson.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Sales teaches you to communicate with impact and listen with intention.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of teach
Verb
  • They are blamed for a mysterious illness that’s starting to spread – said to be passed through a single gaze, when one man falls in love with another.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Last month, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Trump's tariffs were partly to blame for price increases that had taken place in February.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of blame
Verb
  • Houston’s Sampson was once chided for wearing sweatpants Kelvin Sampson, the 69-year-old Houston coach, wore suits on the sideline for decades before the pandemic.
    — Kristie Rieken, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
  • McCormick has emerged as a rare critical voice of DOGE since the town hall, specifically chiding X CEO Elon Musk for wielding a chainsaw at a recent conservative conference.
    — Lauren Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of chide

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admixtures
admonish
admonished
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Cite this Entry

“Admonish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/admonish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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