reprimand
Americannoun
-
reprimands
plural
verb (used with object)
-
reprimands,
present (3rd person singular)
-
reprimanded,
past participle, past
-
reprimanding
present participle
noun
verb
Synonym Usage
Reprimand, upbraid, admonish, censure all mean to reprove, reproach, or criticize (someone) adversely for behavior deemed reprehensible. Reprimand implies a formal rebuke, as by a superior, person in authority, or an official or official body: reprimanded by the judge and warned of a possible charge of contempt of court. Upbraid suggests relatively severe criticism, but of a less formal sort: The minister upbraided the parishioners for their poor church attendance. Admonish refers to a more gentle warning or expression of disapproval, often including suggestions for improvement: gently admonished the children to make less noise; admonished the players about promptness at practice sessions. Censure involves harsh, vehement criticism, often from an authoritative source: censured in the media for her off-the-cuff remarks; voted to censure their fellow senator.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
reprimandernoun
-
overreprimandverb (used with object)
-
unreprimandedadjective
-
unreprimandingadjective
-
reprimandinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
reprimandsimple
-
reprimandssimple
-
have reprimandedperfect
-
has reprimandedperfect
-
am reprimandingprogressive
-
are reprimandingprogressive
-
is reprimandingprogressive
-
have been reprimandingperfect progressive
-
has been reprimandingperfect progressive
Past
-
reprimandedsimple
-
had reprimandedperfect
-
was reprimandingprogressive
-
were reprimandingprogressive
-
had been reprimandingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of reprimand
First recorded in 1630–40; from French réprimande, Middle French reprimend, from Latin reprimenda “that is to be pressed back,” feminine gerund of reprimere “to press back, restrain,” from re- re- + prim(ere) “to press” ( see press 1)
Explanation
If you're reprimanded, someone in authority speaks to you in an angry way because you've done something wrong. Or you might reprimand your dog if he steals your hot dog. The House of Representatives has a couple of ways to punish naughty members. One way is to reprimand them by voting to express disapproval. In 2009, Representative Joe Wilson was reprimanded after his outburst of "You lie!" during President Obama's speech. In the halls of Congress, this is considered "unparliamentary language," but if you yell at your congressman, that's okay.
Vocabulary lists containing reprimand
I Am Malala
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A resident saw the video and sent the developer over to reprimand Farrell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
Mutua has so far escaped any reprimand, let alone criminal charges -- to the consternation of victims' families.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
After a forensic investigation and interviews with six clerks, the 11th Circuit Judicial Council issued a toothless private reprimand: Judge Ross was initially shielded from accountability, her identity shielded from public scrutiny.
From Slate ● Jun. 8, 2026
But every reprimand points to how central this anti-corruption drive has become for Xi.
From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026
He knew I was being so hard on myself already that he had no need to reprimand me.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
The European Union's second- and third-biggest economies, France and Italy, have already been handed formal reprimands alongside eight other member states.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
When the bureau found discrepancies, it tended to settle for reprimands and improvement plans, rarely going so far as to revoke a dealer’s license.
From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026
“Cloth cannot keep out microscopic viruses,” one character reprimands another, who prefers a scarf to his regulation mask.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
The first-term council member deserves all the reprimands being heaped on her — most of all because the video that set off this pathetic episode is so cringe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2025
She entertained the horrible Babushkawoos as best she could with stories and games, and offered gentle reprimands whenever their behavior grew intolerable.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
The station said the person who played the files had been "reprimanded" and had "apologised".
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
“I saw many girls whose clothing would previously have been reprimanded by the government—unveiled, wearing blouses and pants, with manicured nails,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Bankruptcy stands as a way to rewrite your future, not be forever reprimanded for the mistakes of your past.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026
The Press Association reported the Ryder Cup winner was reprimanded by Augusta National officials for his actions.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
But their leader didn’t look in the least bit reprimanded or remorseful.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
Former colleagues previously told The Wall Street Journal that Armstrong was shy, at times struggling to communicate with some employees and uncomfortable when reprimanding his staff.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
While the once-slumping Dodgers have raised their level of play the last two nights, the Padres have made mistakes even Little League coaches would be reprimanding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2025
We saw an official angrily reprimanding staff about other colleagues who had not turned up to work during the emergency.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2025
Bowden-Lewis also was accused of reprimanding the legal counsel for no valid reason, in apparent retaliation for the counsel’s cooperation with the commission and disloyalty toward her, a notice of the allegations to Bowden-Lewis said.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
I gaze out the window, watching the snow fall in the fluorescent glow of the courtyard lights, the hallway finally dead silent after Will’s hour-long reprimanding.
From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
