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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebuke
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
In a rare searing rebuke, investors recently cast a symbolic vote disapproving of Zaslav’s 2024 compensation package, which rose 4% to $51.9 million compared with the year before.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 June 2025
They have reportedly been rebuked after asking for permission to speak with five sitting NBA head coaches – Jason Kidd (Dallas), Ime Udoka (Houston), Chris Finch (Minnesota), Billy Donovan (Chicago) and Quin Snyder (Atlanta).
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Noun
To spend that lone resource on another young and unproven player, especially outside of the lottery (top 14), would be a massively risky allocation — not to mention a rebuke of Josh Kroenke’s decision to fire Booth.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
In a rare searing rebuke, investors recently cast a symbolic vote disapproving of Zaslav’s 2024 compensation package, which rose 4% to $51.9 million compared with the year before.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
Verb
President Trump on Friday publicly rebuked his director of national intelligence for a second time this week over her testimony earlier this year that the intelligence community did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 June 2025
They have reportedly been rebuked after asking for permission to speak with five sitting NBA head coaches – Jason Kidd (Dallas), Ime Udoka (Houston), Chris Finch (Minnesota), Billy Donovan (Chicago) and Quin Snyder (Atlanta).
—Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuke
Noun
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As America celebrates its 249th anniversary and a declaration of independence from tyranny on July 4, Bolick's comments represent his most piercing and direct condemnation of actions taken by the country's highest political leaders.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
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The suppression of dissent drew international condemnation, and the U.S. and the European Union imposed sanctions on Belarus.—
Yuras Karmanau,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Dan Baltic, a co-founder in New Ritual Press and one of tonight’s readers, remembers being reprimanded in 2019 in a writing workshop by a woman who was appalled by the alt-right protagonist of his debut novel, Nutcrankr.—
John McDermott,
Rolling Stone,
6 July 2025
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Though city reprimanded the protesters, the group dissolved shortly after.—
Calista Oetama
July 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Officials want Indianapolis parents to take responsibility for their children Speaking at a news conference over the weekend, Bailey scolded parents for allowing their children out at night unsupervised.—
Matthew Cupelli,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
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Trump has publicly scolded Massie for his opposition.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Tillis had earned a reputation in Congress as someone willing to work across the aisle — but the Republican Party of North Carolina censured him for it.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
3 July 2025
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Councilmembers censured Blain on Feb. 4 by a 4-0 vote while Blain was absent.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Neither side has accepted the proposal announced Tuesday by Trump, who has admonished Hamas that if the militant group does not buy into the offer, its prospects will get worse.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
2 July 2025
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At public meetings for approving such rate hikes, unhappy ratepayers regularly rail against the company and admonish utility regulators.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Lincoln Mitchell, a political strategy and campaign specialist who lectures at Columbia University, to understand what Mamdani’s primary win might indicate about the direction of national politics.—
Lincoln Mitchell,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
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DuVernay presents the inhumanity of the situation without lecturing the audience or patronizing the subjects, instead providing an honest portrait of the fear, hope, and lost time that the Central Park Five experienced as the result of a profoundly broken justice system.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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An outspoken progressive, Ruffalo frequently condemns the Trump administration's raids, which began in June.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
8 July 2025
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For instance, hundreds of political and civil rights activists—many of whom have been previously imprisoned—condemned Israel’s attacks in a joint statement.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Political dynamics: DeSantis criticized the Florida House for delaying condo relief legislation, while House Speaker Daniel Perez defended the decision to address the issue during the regular session, highlighting the collaborative effort between the House and Senate.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
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The fair housing group criticized Osili for neglecting to mention that his wife — Una Osili, a professor and the associate dean of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy — is a member of the bank's advisory board of directors.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuke. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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