1
as in to admonish
to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault
my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to censure
to express public or formal disapproval of
the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dislike
to hold an unfavorable opinion of
the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music
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Recent Examples of reprove
Gallant reportedly meant to reprove the officer for failing to do enough about settler violence.
—
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023
In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church.
—Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2024
Regional and international groups and leaders rallied behind Caracas, reproving the sanctions as illegitimate.
—Lauren Carasik, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2015
If the Pets fail to reprove the demonization of Trump and Morrissey — disregarding hateful partisan fashion—their diminished integrity will be one of the consequences.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Sep. 2024
The son of immigrants — a hard-drinking father from Scotland and a reproving mother from Germany — Baird and his siblings grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
Both films reprove today’s lack of soul-searching — that’s our real existential crisis.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 Oct. 2023
In the early 2000s, Latter-day Saints were learning via social media about controversial elements of their faith’s past — including details about polygamy provided by the scholars, like Quinn, who were reproved by the church.
—Peggy Fletcher Stack, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023
Her question drew reproving looks and boos from the crowd.
—Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
Until Elliott reproves that, none of those three assumptions should drive Dallas’ game plan.
—Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprove
Verb
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For the past several years, clips from the show have circulated on TikTok and X—with certain viewers admonishing Banks for some of her views about the modeling industry.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Feb. 2025
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The judge also admonished state officials for refusing to make the new nitrogen hypoxia protocol publicly available.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The move — which was censured by foreign automakers and leaders and led to the fall of shares in stocks for companies like General Motors and Ford, per the Associated Press — escalated tensions in a looming trade war.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
29 Mar. 2025
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Drexel University in Philadelphia was censured for not pursuing tougher disciplinary measures when a vocally pro-Israeli Jewish student’s dorm room was set on fire three days after the Hamas attacks.—
Helen Coster and Julia Harte,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Having control over the terms of how a player leaves the club is one of the reasons why Muzio dislikes release clauses.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Some cats may dislike it but not necessarily have a fear or hatred of it, while others may actually enjoy it.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Logical consistency would require these legislators to reprimand PURA’s rigid approach and call for more regulatory flexibility so utilities can invest proactively in essential cybersecurity measures.—
Brian Harrell,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2025
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As John Cena and The Rock's Third Man WWE Could Steal Away Top AEW Star: Report Strickland recounted a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the group was reprimanded for a member's aggressive phone call to a WWE office employee regarding B-Fab's flight details.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Addressing reporters outside the chamber, Democrats condemned the GOP’s anti-trans agenda and pointed out that even though the legislative session ends on Friday, lawmakers have still not passed a state budget for the year — the only law they are required to pass, according to WSB-TV.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
3 Apr. 2025
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Cost Of Reciprocal Tariffs China and other parts of the Asia Pacific region, Europe, large portions of South America, and the rest of North America have strongly condemned U.S. actions as an unreasonable overturning of global order, as Reuters has reported.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a video posted to X, Brand thanked his fans for messages of support, then criticized the British government and legal system before addressing the charges directly.—
Emily Trainham,
FOXNews.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Critics of executive overreach have long criticized the Office of Legal Counsel as too permissive.—
Charlie Savage,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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By building a social and political movement that gave him coercive power over the GOP, he’s been able to punish heretics and elevate loyalists committed to advancing his agenda and interests.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
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Officer Christopher Bowen claims he was punished with a shift change after missing arrest and traffic ticket quotas.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reprove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprove. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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