rebuke

American  

[ri-byook] / rɪˈbyuk /

verb (used with object)

rebuked, rebuking

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

   Synonyms:

   admonish, chide, upbraid, censure

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noun

1. sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.

   Synonyms:

   censure, remonstration, reproach

rebuke British  

/ rɪˈbjuːk /

verb

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

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noun

1. a reprimand or scolding

Related Words

See reproach.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of rebuke

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

Example Sentences

In a stressful, often cruel environment, it felt less like a performance, and more like a merry rebuke.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an unusually strongly worded rebuke, the International Monetary Fund on Wednesday urged China to reorient its economy toward consumption and scale back “unwarranted industrial policy” to “mitigate international spillovers.”

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s unpredictable, a rebuke this day, an embrace the next, all depending on the moment and the speaker.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because that designation is typically used for foreign adversaries, the move would mark an unusual rebuke of a U.S. company.

From The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. ambassadors to France and Poland have also gotten into disputes with the countries in which they are stationed, drawing rebukes from Paris and Warsaw.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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