reprimand

[ noun rep-ruh-mand, -mahnd; verb rep-ruh-mand, -mahnd, rep-ruh-mand, -mahnd ]

noun

1. a severe reproof or rebuke, especially a formal one by a person in authority.

   Synonyms: censure, reprehension, condemnation

verb (used with object)

1. to reprove or rebuke severely, especially in a formal way.

   Synonyms: condemn, censure, reprehend

reprimand

/ ˈrɛprɪˌmɑːnd /

noun

1. a reproof or formal admonition; rebuke

verb

1. tr to admonish or rebuke, esp formally; reprove

Other Words From

• repri·mander noun
• repri·manding·ly adverb
• over·repri·mand verb (used with object)
• un·repri·manded adjective
• un·repri·manding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprimand¹

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” ( press ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprimand¹

C17: from French réprimande , from Latin reprimenda (things) to be repressed; see repress

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Too much time away from picking items off shelves to ship to consumers — time that is tracked by computers — can lead to reprimands that can slow raises and promotions, and even lead to termination.

From Washington Post

At airports, warnings and reprimands to passengers who refuse to comply with federal security screeners gained teeth with the order.

From Washington Post

It’s therefore likely that Pack and his team will leave government before receiving any reprimands.

From Vox

The board of overseers sanctioned Mason for unprofessional conduct in 2009 for exposing himself to both women, giving him one of its lowest public sanctions — a reprimand.

From ProPublica

Browder said in a deposition for the case that he faced no internal reprimands or discipline, and that the shooting didn’t even come up in his yearly performance review.

From Voice of San Diego

Two years later, the reprimand was overturned, but Mia was unsuccessful in her bid to annul the adoptions.

From The Daily Beast

Though Steele was never charged, he was given a career-ending reprimand.

From The Daily Beast

He failed to reprimand the MKs in question, implicitly suggesting that in the Likud, support for two states is optional at best.

From The Daily Beast

He Made a Positive Test Result ‘Go Away’ Did Armstrong pay to have a reprimand by the International Cycling Union disappear?

From The Daily Beast

He and one other officer received only a letter of reprimand.

From The Daily Beast

One would think that the chorus should rather give the son a severe reprimand for speaking in so brutal a manner to his father.

From Project Gutenberg

Hoory Nicolas then began to converse with me, in the way of reprimand, for being in connexion with the English.

From Project Gutenberg

More than once had Betsy's careless behavior drawn a reprimand upon her father.

From Project Gutenberg

Maciej did not finish his sentence, however, for the offended shoemaker began to reprimand him sternly.

From Project Gutenberg

One of his first acts was severely to reprimand Puttkammer for misusing government influence at elections.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admonish
• castigate
• censure
• chide
• criticize
• denounce
• rebuke
• reproach
• upbraid