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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 reproof
In the appeal to you, gentle readers, to email us with your thoughts, questions, reproofs, corrections, jokes, recipes, etc.
—
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 May 2025
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
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
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
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
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 May 2025
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproof
Noun
-
Kyiv cast the attack as revenge for strikes on a historic monastery that had drawn global condemnation.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
-
And over time, as politicians and religious leaders have pushed for the regulation and public condemnation of those who practice BDSM, people have formed communities to support one another and create spaces for pleasure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Rollins leaked non-public Department of Justice information to the media that was damaging to Arroyo’s opponent DA Kevin Hayden, and was later issued a public reprimand by the state Board of Bar Overseers for the ethics breach cited in the reports.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 June 2026
-
The judiciary's system for policing misconduct includes punishment such as informal warnings and public reprimands.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
In 2024, the SAIC risked sanctions or censure from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a leading nonprofit organization that advocates for academic freedom, over its response to student activism.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 June 2026
-
Resident Nancy Thomas, a frequent critic of the city commission, demanded that Glassman apologize and called for his censure in emails to city officials.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reproof.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproof. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
