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
After a forensic investigation and interviews with six clerks, the 11th Circuit Judicial Council issued a toothless private reprimand: Judge Ross was initially shielded from accountability, her identity shielded from public scrutiny.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026
But every reprimand points to how central this anti-corruption drive has become for Xi.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
The reprimand came about after Grosie handed Mother a list of six close friends of the family, and suggested that Mother call to pay her respects that afternoon.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Local media have delved into his past - he had received written reprimands in El Paso, according to documents obtained by the Arizona Republic.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
And in several such cases, judges are handing out more than just reprimands.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 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
Tolkan was also well known for drilling Maverick and Goose with swift reprimands and tough love between puffs of his cigar as their commanding officer, Tom “Stinger” Jardian, in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
The relief Farmer felt after the showdown was followed by reprimands from his staff.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
“I saw many girls whose clothing would previously have been reprimanded by the government—unveiled, wearing blouses and pants, with manicured nails,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
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
The Press Association reported the Ryder Cup winner was reprimanded by Augusta National officials for the action.
From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026
Rowan had been disqualified and severely reprimanded for his poor sportsmanship.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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
When she left the rink in tears, her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, was caught on live television giving her a stern look and reprimanding her by saying, in Russian: “Why did you let it go?”
From New York Times ● Jan. 29, 2024
It also shows uniformed officers reprimanding the boys for not "deeply reflecting on their mistakes".
From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2024
“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 "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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.
