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
A public admonishment is typically issued for serious misconduct.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 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
DeWine's admonishment came after members of his party have spent the last week spreading baseless accusations against immigrants in the small city.
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2024
He was imperturbable on the witness stand and treated the prosecutors as though they were errant students who needed stern admonishment.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
