admonish

[ad-mon-ish]

verb (used with object)

1. to caution, advise, or counsel against something.

2. to reprove or scold, especially in a mild and good-willed manner.

   The teacher admonished him about excessive noise.

   Synonyms: upbraid, censure, rebuke

3. to urge to a duty; remind.

   to admonish them about their obligations.

admonish

/ ˌædməˈnɪʃən, ədˈmɒnɪʃ /

verb

1. to reprove firmly but not harshly

2. to advise to do or against doing something; warn; caution

Other Word Forms

• admonisher noun
• admonishingly adverb
• admonishment noun
• preadmonish verb (used with object)
• admonition noun
• admonitory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of admonish¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; late Middle English admonish, amonesche, admonesse, amoness, Middle English a(d)monest (with -t later taken as past participle suffix), from Anglo-French, Old French amonester, from Vulgar Latin admonestāre (unrecorded), apparently derivative of Latin admonēre “to remind, give advice to” (source of -est- is uncertain), equivalent to ad- ad- ( def. ) + monēre “to remind, warn”; monitor ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of admonish¹

C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin admonestāre (unattested), from Latin admonēre to put one in mind of, from monēre to advise

Synonym Study

See warn. See reprimand.

Example Sentences

After some staffers complained, Dokoupil was admonished by CBS News leadership on an editorial call that the Free Press posted online.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re under invasion from within,” the president admonished generals and admirals gathered in the auditorium.

From Los Angeles Times

Although Yaba also laments that no one excelling in his stage of the game, he also admonishes his pal, “You shouldn’t use this world for your own pleasure.”

From Salon

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge was admonished after entering other judges’ chambers and going through their papers and computers, according to a state commission.

From Los Angeles Times

My mother had always admonished me to date nice Jewish girls.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advise 
• berate 
• censure 
• chide 
• enjoin 
• exhort 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• scold 
• upbraid 
• warn