rebuke

[ri-byook]

verb (used with object)

rebuked, rebuking 

1. to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.

   Synonyms: admonish, chide, upbraid, censure

noun

1. sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.

   Synonyms: censure, remonstration, reproach

rebuke

/ rɪˈbjuːk /

verb

1. (tr) to scold or reprimand (someone)

noun

1. a reprimand or scolding

Other Word Forms

• rebukable adjective
• rebuker noun
• rebukingly adverb
• unrebukable adjective
• unrebuked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuke¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English rebuken (verb), from Anglo-French rebuker ( Old French rebuchier ) “to beat back,” equivalent to re- re- + bucher “to beat, strike,” from Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuke¹

C14: from Old Norman French rebuker , from _re- + Old French buchier to hack down, from busche log, of Germanic origin

Synonym Study

See reproach.

Example Sentences

This led to a sharp rebuke from Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel, who dismissed the rhetoric as "too crass and pathetic to sell".

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That seems like a mild rebuke compared to the fury that gathered outside not long after the final whistle.

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These groups deserve shame, scorn and diplomatic rebuke — not fawning sympathy and United Nations red carpets.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Doha attack earned a rare rebuke from the White House.

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The 85 researchers who rebuked the report are far from the only ones concerned about the Energy Department’s findings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admonish 
• berate 
• castigate 
• censure 
• chide 
• go after 
• oppose 
• reprimand 
• reproach 
• scold 
• upbraid