as in reprimands
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 admonishes
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 scolds
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches
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3
as in censures
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 rebukes
Michael Kunzelman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The president has held off on financial rebukes on Russia, but did increase tariffs on India amid the turmoil in Eastern Europe.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
At the same time, US technological advantages have sparked sharp rebukes and a push to rapidly ramp up capabilities in Beijing.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
The decision has drawn sharp rebukes across the Arab world, with regional leaders warning the operation will deepen the humanitarian crisis, risk mass displacement and undermine any prospects for peace.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
But the string of rebukes has fueled speculation that residents serving on grand juries are using their votes to protest against the White House’s surge.
—Michael Kunzelman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The president has held off on financial rebukes on Russia, but did increase tariffs on India amid the turmoil in Eastern Europe.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
At the same time, US technological advantages have sparked sharp rebukes and a push to rapidly ramp up capabilities in Beijing.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
The decision has drawn sharp rebukes across the Arab world, with regional leaders warning the operation will deepen the humanitarian crisis, risk mass displacement and undermine any prospects for peace.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
In response to such moves across science agencies, hundreds of EPA, NASA, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation staffers have signed on to public letters of dissent, rare rebukes from traditionally reticent federal employees.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebukes
Verb
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As Tetyana weeps, the soldier gently admonishes her fuss.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
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When Souleymane rehearses his account, in an early scene, Barry admonishes him for blandly reciting (and often bungling) the false facts he’s been given.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While other festival heads like Venice’s Alberto Barbera have shared personal condemnations of the violence in Gaza on social media, no festival has weighed into the situation directly as a whole institution.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
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Sorrentino has told stories about Italian leaders before — scathing ones, like Il Divo and Loro, loosely historical condemnations of prime ministers Giulio Andreotti and Silvio Berlusconi.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If your boss criticizes your work, do not argue or retreat.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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What the president is trying to do here is very systemic and systematic, and that is, anyone who stands up to the president, anyone who criticizes the president, anyone who says anything adverse to the president's interests gets the full weight of the federal government brought down on them.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Yeanoplos lectures throughout the United States on the topics of valuation, applied finance and financial analysis, has been a faculty member for the AICPA’s National Business Valuation School for close to 25 years and is currently on the faculty of the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute.—
BySteel Rose,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Jon Michaels, a professor of law at UCLA who lectures about national security, said that the documents found in the printer of the Alaskan hotel reveal a lapse in professional judgement in preparation for a high-stakes meeting.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For instance, ProPublica cited his tax experience as exceptionally limited, pointing out that his only qualification centers around being a Certified Tax & Business Advisor, which ProPublica denounces as a dubious and frivolous designation.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Surrounded by her political enemies on all sides, Genevieve O’Reilly denounces genocide and propaganda and advocates for the importance of truth and independence in a speech that will inspire the rebellion that takes down the the Galactic Empire.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One owner blames the aggressive immigration enforcement near one of his restaurants.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Sep. 2025
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And in fact, somebody that Victor blames for the death of his beloved mother.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The United States and South Korean militaries are holding annual joint exercises that North Korea condemns as a rehearsal for invasion.—
Stella Kim,
NBC news,
25 Aug. 2025
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Instead of punishing banks for their predatory practices, Relay condemns soulless corporations for their malfeasance and corruption.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rebukes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebukes. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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