admonishment

American  

[ad-mon-ish-muhnt] / ædˈmɒn ɪʃ mənt /

noun

1. a variant of admonition.

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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.

Example Sentences

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

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

I wanted to twist the knobs on the radios and punch at the keys of the typewriters, but the admonishment from the counter girl downstairs made me keep my hands firmly clasped together.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu