as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
even in church we were not free from Mother's familiar reproof of our ingrained tendency to fidget in our seats
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Recent Examples of reproof
Advertisement China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a vehement reproof.
—
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
So your best response is either to ignore the remark, which is a reproof in itself, or to make a joke of it.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
Florida and Texas have already allowed concerts to resume, though not without some issues: Steve Aoki and Diplo each got warnings from local police and reproof from the mayor of Tampa, Fla., for performing in front of maskless crowds during Super Bowl weekend in February.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2021
Such a man is a proper subject, not for reproof, but for medical treatment.
—Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Preceded by a setting of the Kaddish and opening with an evergreen reproof of antisemitism, the symphony is the kind of music that welcomes reflection.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022
When a boy in the front row decides to visit the girl sitting behind him, Hood gives him a gentle reproof.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2021
In response to the reproof, Clicks has issued an apology, and an explanation that at least two other companies were involved in approving the advert.
—Norma Young, Quartz Africa, 9 Sep. 2020
Proof, take a break of two or more days, reproof and then submit.
—Lee Shulman Bierer, chicagotribune.com, 17 Aug. 2020
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
So your best response is either to ignore the remark, which is a reproof in itself, or to make a joke of it.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024
Florida and Texas have already allowed concerts to resume, though not without some issues: Steve Aoki and Diplo each got warnings from local police and reproof from the mayor of Tampa, Fla., for performing in front of maskless crowds during Super Bowl weekend in February.
—Dave Brooks, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2021
Such a man is a proper subject, not for reproof, but for medical treatment.
—Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022
Preceded by a setting of the Kaddish and opening with an evergreen reproof of antisemitism, the symphony is the kind of music that welcomes reflection.
—New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022
When a boy in the front row decides to visit the girl sitting behind him, Hood gives him a gentle reproof.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2021
In response to the reproof, Clicks has issued an apology, and an explanation that at least two other companies were involved in approving the advert.
—Norma Young, Quartz Africa, 9 Sep. 2020
Proof, take a break of two or more days, reproof and then submit.
—Lee Shulman Bierer, chicagotribune.com, 17 Aug. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproof
Noun
-
The rock legend's public condemnation of Trump is not new.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
-
His condemnation was echoed by former CIA, National Security Council and FBI counterterrorism leader Phil Mudd and retired four star Army General Brian McCaffrey.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Her government sought to intimidate critical journalists and moved to replace top officials at Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, earning a public reprimand from the European Commission for restricting the media’s independence.—
Nathalie Tocci,
Foreign Affairs,
26 Mar. 2025
-
In any case, now that Quinn has summoned Beck and Reacher to face a reprimand and possibly a firing squad, Reacher has resolved to kill Quinn for good this time.—
Chris Klimek,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Out of the privation, the challenge, and the censure of slavery and the unfulfilled promise of post-Reconstruction justice, Black musicians embraced experimentation and innovation, ingenuity and joy, and a multigenerational call and response speaking truth to power that endures to the present day.—
Elizabeth Alexander,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
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The commissioners held an executive session Monday, an hour before the district sent an email with the Tuesday censure agenda item.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reproof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproof. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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