admonition

American  

[ad-muh-nish-uhn] / ˌæd məˈnɪʃ ən /

Also admonishment

noun

• admonitions
  plural

1. 

   an act of admonishing.

2. counsel, advice, or caution.

3. a gentle reproof.

4. a warning or reproof given by an ecclesiastical authority.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preadmonition
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• admonitions
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of admonition

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin admonitiōn- (stem of admonitiō ); see ad-, monition; replacing late Middle English amonicioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin; see admonish

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Explanation

Bringing a skateboard to school is a great way to get an admonition from a teacher not to ride it down the halls. An admonition is advice with a hint of scolding, a warning not to do something. When you're cautioned or warned about some mistake you might be just about to make, or some looming danger, you're receiving an admonition. The strength and tone of an admonition determine whether it's a gentle, polite suggestion or more of a stern warning. In Scotland, an admonition is an official legal term that means a verbal punishment for someone who's been found guilty but set free.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

admonition admonitions

"You have no previous convictions and I have taken the view that admonition is appropriate."

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Jessica Lautz, vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors, offers this admonition to homeowners selling for the first time in years: “It’s a very different housing market today.”

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 30, 2025

Eilish’s admonition and Parton’s example resonates because it underscores a broader cultural conversation: wealth comes with choices.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2025

In his character’s admonition, Lee is staking his position as new AI-powered tools threaten to undo a system of moviemaking built on flesh-and-blood cast and crew.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025

Jinny thought briefly of Joon’s swimming lesson, and of Ben’s soft admonition.

From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder

Given the IRS’s guidance and admonitions, tax professionals said, most taxpayers didn’t roll the dice on that literal reading.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026

Criminologists tend to speak in caveats, with warning of reversion to the mean and admonitions to wait for better data, but even they must admit: These are some eye-catching numbers.

From Slate ● May 7, 2025

Despite decades of admonitions from nutritionists and environmentalists to “eat locally, think globally,” our collective diets are more international than ever.

From Science Magazine ● Nov. 26, 2024

Consumer advice, including advice couched as strong admonitions, has long been part of its responsibilities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2024

There might be another adjustment of his collar, another gift for Shad, more admonitions about his “comp’ny manners,” but, finally, they would let him go.

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

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Related Words

• rebuke
• reprimand

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