reprove

American  

[ri-proov] / rɪˈpruv /

verb (used with object)

• reproves,
  present (3rd person singular)
• reproved,
  past participle,  past
• reproving
  present participle

1. to criticize or correct, especially gently.

   to reprove a pupil for making a mistake.

   Synonyms:

   admonish, reprehend, chide, upbraid, reprimand, scold

   Antonyms:

   praise

2. to disapprove of strongly; censure.

   to reprove a bad decision.

3. Obsolete. to disprove or refute.

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verb (used without object)

• reproves,
  present (3rd person singular)
• reproved,
  past participle,  past
• reproving
  present participle

1. to speak in reproof; administer a reproof.

reprove British  

/ rɪˈpruːv /

verb

1. (tr) to speak disapprovingly to (a person); rebuke or scold

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Synonym Usage

See reproach.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reprover
  noun
• reprovable
  adjective
• reproving
  adjective
• reprovingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• reproving
  present
• reproved
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• reprove
  simple
• reproves
  simple
• have reproved
  perfect
• has reproved
  perfect
• am reproving
  progressive
• are reproving
  progressive
• is reproving
  progressive
• have been reproving
  perfect progressive
• has been reproving
  perfect progressive

Past

• reproved
  simple
• had reproved
  perfect
• was reproving
  progressive
• were reproving
  progressive
• had been reproving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will reprove
  simple
• will have reproved
  perfect
• will be reproving
  progressive
• will have been reproving
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of reprove

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English reproven, from Old French reprover, from Late Latin reprobāre, equivalent to re- re- + probāre “to test,” ( see prove)

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Explanation

If you get into trouble and are sent to the principal’s office, be prepared for the principal to reprove you for your behavior. To reprove is to scold, reprimand, or — in plain English — “chew out.” Reprove is a verb used in the same way as “scold,” or “dress down.” To reprove is to express your dissatisfaction or disapproval with something. It’s a less severe word than denounce or decry. It is closer to the verb criticize. Your parents might reprove you for a minor offense like not cleaning your room or chewing with your mouth open. And, for the record, reprove is not the root word prove with the prefix re- as if to mean “prove again.” If you use it that way, someone would likely reprove you.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reprove reproves reproved reproving

That includes making do with less as they reestablish their place in society, rethink their careers and reprove their worth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2021

Everyone on Capitol Hill is focused on squeezing months worth of work into several days, so the panel’s decision to clear two members and reprove two others was like an end-of-the-year document dump.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 11, 2014

So you’ve got to really prove and reprove yourself over and over and over again just to get an opportunity.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2012

But in Hollywood it's really tough to change genres, you have to reprove yourself.

From Salon ● Apr. 14, 2011

However, this time I was sufficiently wise to keep silence, leaving it to experience to reprove her, as it most surely would.

From Lawrence Clavering by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason

“I could do without becoming known as the man who has a hugger for a son,” he reproves when Cal tries to embrace him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

Jack’s shoulders are slumped forward, his arms crossed, while John’s maternal aunt Annie reproves him with an extended finger.

From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 2018

It reproves any candidate who isn't making his weight.

From Time Magazine Archive

Your reviewer reproves me for "sardonic excesses," saying I am "capable of snapping that a man with a dicebox might grant and deny paroles as fairly as most boards."

From Time Magazine Archive

Is this to conform to the spirit of religion? is it not, on the contrary, to engage one's self in that pretended wisdom, that futile science it so much reproves?

From L'Histoire Des Vaudois From Authentic Details of the Valdenses by al.

Mr. Meadows was also reproved by the House Ethics Committee in 2018 for mishandling sexual harassment allegations against a top aide.

From New York Times ● Mar. 7, 2020

Both lawmakers were reproved by the Ethics Committee.”

From Fox News ● Nov. 16, 2018

“We must all take responsibility for using facts correctly and for verifying anything we spread,” Stefan Lofven, the Swedish prime minister, reproved Trump at a news conference.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 21, 2017

He was immediately reproved by scores of his readers, as well as by a commentary in The Economist, “The World Is His Parking Spot,” that applied basic social cost-benefit analysis.

From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2011

“I’m surprised at you for spreading rumors, William,” she reproved him.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Today, children are more likely to have to go to a chain grocery store for candy, and odds are they’d have to be driven there, and escorted through the purchase by a reproving adult.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Hudson: No matter how much you prove yourself, you’re always still reproving yourself.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2025

People also lose coverage, however, because constantly proving and reproving eligibility is onerous — especially if you’re poor, not particularly adept at navigating red tape or don’t have stable housing.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 3, 2022

When Donnersmarck reached for a Snickers, his mother shot him a reproving look.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 14, 2019

At that Aunt Beast stood up, saying, “Child,” in a reproving way.

From "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle

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