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

In 2000, the EPA admonished naval officials for neglecting to inform residents that a fire had broken out at a hazardous landfill at Hunters Point.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even flip-flops—praising and then admonishing Russia, setting up and breaking off deals with China—aren’t really a surprise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

My adolescent memories ring with the sounds of Stiller admonishing his son-in-law and crying mutiny at a shopping mall pretzel shop.

Read more on Salon

“Consequently, the conference is imposing a $5,000 fine and admonishes all institutions to use the “out” designation only if there are no circumstances under which a student-athlete could participate in a game.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Guests not dressed for the occasion will be asked to make adjustments before entry,” we are sternly admonished.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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