rebuke

[ri-byook]

See more synonyms for rebuke on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·buked, re·buk·ing.

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

noun

sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.

Origin of rebuke

1275–1325; Middle English rebuken (v.) < Anglo-French rebuker (Old French rebuchier) to beat back, equivalent to re- re- + bucher to beat, strike < Germanic

Related formsre·buk·a·ble, adjectivere·buk·er, nounre·buk·ing·ly, adverbun·re·buk·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·buked, adjective

Synonyms for rebuke

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. censure, upbraid, chide, admonish. See reproach. 2. reproach, remonstration, censure.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for rebuke

condemnation, admonition, censure, disapproval, snub, reproach, punishment, rebuff, scold, chide, berate, admonish, upbraid, castigate, reprimand, oppose, repulse, reprehension, correction, ostracism

Examples from the Web for rebuke

Contemporary Examples of rebuke

This cover, I submit, is as sharp a rebuke to the “progress is over!”
This One Picture of Telly Savalas Refutes All Fears That Progress Has Ended
Nick Gillespie
October 30, 2014
What made matters worse was that the more I felt Lorne rebuke me, the more I pulled away.
My Rocky Time As A Woman Writer on ‘SNL’
Carol Leifer
April 6, 2014
And, of course, a rebuke to our current politics and especially our president, who seems unable to prod a bee to buzz.
‘Breaking Bad’ in the White House: Bryan Cranston as LBJ in 'All the Way'
David Freedlander
March 7, 2014
Instead they were a rebuke from the American electorate to Democrats who had overreached.
Democrats Have Maxed Out the Race Card
Ron Christie
December 17, 2013
“Ordinary people will think he is disturbed and rebuke him for this, unaware that he is possessed by a god,” Plato wrote.
What is a Genius?
Nick Romeo
November 9, 2013

Historical Examples of rebuke

Then, he bethought himself of a subtle form of rebuke by emphasizing his generosity.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
They darted from Garson to the other three men, and back again in rebuke.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Aggie sniffed vehemently in rebuke of the gross partiality of fate in his behalf.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
Joseph Stump
Times before had he said them before Phoebe Hart, and she had passed them by with no rebuke.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for rebuke

rebuke

verb

(tr) to scold or reprimand (someone)

noun

a reprimand or scolding

Derived Formsrebukable, adjectiverebuker, noun

Word Origin for rebuke

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rebuke

early 14c., "to reprimand, reprove; chide, scold," from Anglo-French rebuker "to repel, beat back," Old French rebuchier, from re- "back" (see re-) + buschier "to strike, chop wood," from busche (French bÃ»che) "wood," from Proto-Germanic *busk- (see bush (n.)). Related: Rebuked; rebuking.

early 15c., "a reproof, reprimand," from rebuke (v.).