admonishment
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of admonishment
First recorded in 1250–1300; from Middle French amonestement, equivalent to admonish ( def. ) + -ment ( def. )
Explanation
When a coach pulls a player aside and sternly reminds him or her to stay focused during the game, that’s an admonishment — a firm but constructive rebuke. An admonishment is a strong warning or correction intended to improve behavior. The term comes from the Latin word admonere, meaning "to warn or advise." When a parent insists that a child finishes homework before playing video games, it's meant to encourage responsibility. Admonishments guide individuals away from mistakes and towards better actions, offering necessary feedback without being overly harsh.
Vocabulary lists containing admonishment
The Red Car to Hollywood
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Legendary Frybread Drive-In
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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.
She said the attorney general was investigating to see if Mexican law had been violated, which may lead to a Mexican admonishment of the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
The warmer response was, perhaps, a reaction to public admonishment from former manager Jurgen Klopp, who was angered by Alexander-Arnold's vitriolic treatment from fans who previously idolised him.
From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025
The judge’s admonishment of Peters was breathtaking as he rejected her lies and laid bare her craven motivations and manipulations.
From Slate • Oct. 22, 2024
District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan has actually exercised restraint in his admonishment of Habba, a former federal judge told Business Insider.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2024
Baaz, who still stood in the middle of the tent, shouted the command at the top of his lungs, then glared at the little fires as though he meant to douse them with admonishment.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
