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
-
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
-
am reprimandingprogressive
-
are reprimandingprogressive
-
is reprimandingprogressive
-
have been reprimandingperfect progressive
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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
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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:
"He was called in to explain his undiplomatic conduct," a senior foreign ministry official told AFP, without saying what prompted the reprimand.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
The group turned on a portable ring light while Osaka was serving, leading to a reprimand from the umpire.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Syracuse also added nearly half a billion in debt to build desperately needed new dorms, which brought on a bond market reprimand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 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
The reprimand lifted my spirits some, made me feel more normal.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
And in several such cases, judges are handing out more than just reprimands.
From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 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
These reveal details of any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2024
She reprimands me, her tiny frame rigid with indignation.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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 his actions.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
In November, my doctor gently reprimanded me for ignoring my 2024 colonoscopy date.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2026
But when Paishon reprimanded him for lagging behind, Julio became enraged.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
Some aides have raised using nonmilitary means of reprimanding Iran, such as helping protesters coordinate action online or announcing new sanctions on the regime.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 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
Over the years, Mariam had learned to harden herself against his scorn and reproach, his ridiculing and reprimanding.
From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
