reprimand
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Related Words
Reprimand, upbraid, admonish, censure all mean to reprove, reproach, or criticize (someone) adversely for behavior deemed reprehensible. Reprimand implies a formal rebuke, as by a superior, person in authority, or an official or official body: reprimanded by the judge and warned of a possible charge of contempt of court. Upbraid suggests relatively severe criticism, but of a less formal sort: The minister upbraided the parishioners for their poor church attendance. Admonish refers to a more gentle warning or expression of disapproval, often including suggestions for improvement: gently admonished the children to make less noise; admonished the players about promptness at practice sessions. Censure involves harsh, vehement criticism, often from an authoritative source: censured in the media for her off-the-cuff remarks; voted to censure their fellow senator.
Other Word Forms
- overreprimand verb (used with object)
- reprimander noun
- reprimandingly adverb
- unreprimanded adjective
- unreprimanding adjective
Etymology
Origin of reprimand
First recorded in 1630–40; from French réprimande, Middle French reprimend, from Latin reprimenda “that is to be pressed back,” feminine gerund of reprimere “to press back, restrain,” from re- re- + prim(ere) “to press” ( press 1 )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A pixie fluttered up to me, shaking her fists and squealing as if she were reprimanding me.
From Literature
Constance, who was deemed to have breached the ministerial code inadvertently, was given a written reprimand.
From BBC
“Cloth cannot keep out microscopic viruses,” one character reprimands another, who prefers a scarf to his regulation mask.
In November, my doctor gently reprimanded me for ignoring my 2024 colonoscopy date.
From Los Angeles Times
“No! I knew you liked me the first night you stepped into the pub. You were talking all straightforward like, reprimanding me for asking about your trunk.”
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
