reprimand
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Synonym Usage
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
Derived Forms
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reprimandernoun
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overreprimandverb (used with object)
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unreprimandedadjective
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unreprimandingadjective
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reprimandinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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reprimandsimple
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reprimandssimple
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have reprimandedperfect
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has reprimandedperfect
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am reprimandingprogressive
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are reprimandingprogressive
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is reprimandingprogressive
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have been reprimandingperfect progressive
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has been reprimandingperfect progressive
Past
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reprimandedsimple
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had reprimandedperfect
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was reprimandingprogressive
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were reprimandingprogressive
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had been reprimandingperfect progressive
Future
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” ( see press 1)
Explanation
If you're reprimanded, someone in authority speaks to you in an angry way because you've done something wrong. Or you might reprimand your dog if he steals your hot dog. The House of Representatives has a couple of ways to punish naughty members. One way is to reprimand them by voting to express disapproval. In 2009, Representative Joe Wilson was reprimanded after his outburst of "You lie!" during President Obama's speech. In the halls of Congress, this is considered "unparliamentary language," but if you yell at your congressman, that's okay.
Vocabulary lists containing reprimand
I Am Malala
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"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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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.
See Examples For:
After reports of the incident surfaced in June, Chief Circuit Judge Mary H. Murguia ordered an inquiry into judicial misconduct — a charge that could land Nelson with an official reprimand or other penalty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
Mutua has so far escaped any reprimand, let alone criminal charges -- to the consternation of victims' families.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
Those materials reveal a legal culture that has become so familiar with the mechanics of Batson that lawyers are taught how to navigate around it and have developed a way to evade judicial reprimand.
From Slate ● Jun. 17, 2026
Constance, who was deemed to have breached the ministerial code inadvertently, was given a written reprimand.
From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026
“Aren’t you going to reprimand me for abandoning my faction and seeking out my brother? ‘Faction before blood,’ right?”
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Gen. Mykhailo Drapatiy, who has been repeatedly praised by Fedorov—and who had earned three reprimands from Syrskiy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
The European Union's second- and third-biggest economies, France and Italy, have already been handed formal reprimands alongside eight other member states.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
When the bureau found discrepancies, it tended to settle for reprimands and improvement plans, rarely going so far as to revoke a dealer’s license.
From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026
These reveal details of any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2024
“I will leave the reprimands to the Dauntless,” she says, leaning back in her chair.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Bankruptcy stands as a way to rewrite your future, not be forever reprimanded for the mistakes of your past.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026
Despite being formally reprimanded by the Florida House Rules and Ethics Committee — a rare disciplinary action — the protest was far from her last.
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026
Auriemma forcefully reprimanded Staley for a perceived pregame slight surrounding the pregame handshake.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
In all but one of the cases, officers were reprimanded or ordered to undergo retraining because they had erred in actions leading up to the shootings.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 9, 2026
But their leader didn’t look in the least bit reprimanded or remorseful.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
Some aides have raised using nonmilitary means of reprimanding Iran, such as helping protesters coordinate action online or announcing new sanctions on the regime.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
While the once-slumping Dodgers have raised their level of play the last two nights, the Padres have made mistakes even Little League coaches would be reprimanding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2025
We saw an official angrily reprimanding staff about other colleagues who had not turned up to work during the emergency.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2025
And a letter he received months later reprimanding him for his performance.
From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2024
“Ah, the mighty Taakora,” a voice says—smooth, confident, and reprimanding.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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.
