rebuke

[ri-byook]

verb (used with object)

rebuked, rebuking 

1. to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.

   Synonyms: admonish, chide, upbraid, censure

noun

1. sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.

   Synonyms: censure, remonstration, reproach

rebuke

/ rɪˈbjuːk /

verb

1. (tr) to scold or reprimand (someone)

noun

1. a reprimand or scolding

Other Word Forms

• rebukable adjective
• rebuker noun
• rebukingly adverb
• unrebukable adjective
• unrebuked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuke¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English rebuken (verb), from Anglo-French rebuker ( Old French rebuchier ) “to beat back,” equivalent to re- re- + bucher “to beat, strike,” from Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuke¹

C14: from Old Norman French rebuker , from _re- + Old French buchier to hack down, from busche log, of Germanic origin

Synonym Study

See reproach.

Example Sentences

The outpouring prompted the federal government to issue a scathing rebuke of the Bom and order immediate changes to the site.

Read more on BBC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday also drew a rebuke from Damascus and others in the region after visiting Israeli troops deployed in a buffer zone inside Syria.

Read more on Barron's

The Hilton hotel group was rebuked over two adverts, one reading "Hampton by Hilton Hamilton Park From £68", and the other advertising stays in Newcastle from £59.

Read more on BBC

Still, the abuse directed at Takaichi in one instance drew a rebuke from U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The decline isn’t necessarily a rebuke to Furner, who by all accounts is well regarded by Wall Street.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• admonish 
• berate 
• castigate 
• censure 
• chide 
• go after 
• oppose 
• reprimand 
• reproach 
• scold 
• upbraid