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
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reprimandernoun
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overreprimandverb (used with object)
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unreprimandedadjective
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unreprimandingadjective
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reprimandinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
reprimandsimple
-
reprimandssimple
-
have reprimandedperfect
-
has reprimandedperfect
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am reprimandingprogressive
-
are reprimandingprogressive
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is reprimandingprogressive
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have been reprimandingperfect progressive
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has been reprimandingperfect progressive
Past
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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
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"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
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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
After reports of the incident surfaced in June, Chief Circuit Judge Mary H. Murguia ordered an inquiry into judicial misconduct — a charge that could land Nelson with an official reprimand or other penalty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
Mutua has so far escaped any reprimand, let alone criminal charges -- to the consternation of victims' families.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
At the opening of the Senedd on Wednesday Irranca-Davies asked MSs to avoid language that has "the potential to inflame debate or to increase tensions", but did not initially reprimand him directly.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
We’re all laughing so hard at Mitchell’s attempt to project his idea of desperation, which involves teeth grinding and nostrils flaring, that Boggs has to reprimand us. he says firmly.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Gen. Mykhailo Drapatiy, who has been repeatedly praised by Fedorov—and who had earned three reprimands from Syrskiy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Local media have delved into his past - he had received written reprimands in El Paso, according to documents obtained by the Arizona Republic.
From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026
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
Taran took his place on the wooden bench, as he always did when Dallben was in a mood for giving lessons or reprimands.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
The committee can take a wide range of actions if it substantiates the allegations in an investigation, including recommending that a member be reprimanded, censured or removed, or referring the conduct to the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
Stivers had been reprimanded two months before Nancy’s kidnapping for delays securing crime-scene evidence in a homicide case, according to his personnel records.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 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 the action.
From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026
Promptly ordered to Moscow, the sub commanders were reprimanded for “allowing” themselves to be detected by the Americans.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
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
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
When she left the rink in tears, her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, was caught on live television giving her a stern look and reprimanding her by saying, in Russian: “Why did you let it go?”
From New York Times ● Jan. 29, 2024
A pixie fluttered up to me, shaking her fists and squealing as if she were reprimanding me.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
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.
