reprove

[ ri-proov ]

/ rɪˈpruv /

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verb (used with object), re·proved, re·prov·ing.

to criticize or correct, especially gently: to reprove a pupil for making a mistake.

to disapprove of strongly; censure: to reprove a bad decision.

Obsolete. to disprove or refute.

verb (used without object), re·proved, re·prov·ing.

to speak in reproof; administer a reproof.

Nearby words

Origin of reprove

1275–1325; Middle English reproven < Old French reprover < Late Latin reprobāre, equivalent to re- re- + probāre to test, prove

SYNONYMS FOR reprove

1. scold, reprimand, upbraid, chide, reprehend, admonish. See reproach.

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ANTONYMS FOR reprove

1. praise.

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Related formsre·prov·er, nounre·prov·ing·ly, adverb

Can be confusedre-prove reprove

re-prove

[ ree-proov ]

/ riˈpruv /

verb (used with or without object), re-proved, re-proved or re-prov·en, re-prov·ing.

to prove again.

Origin of re-prove

First recorded in 1520–30; re- + prove

Can be confusedre-prove reprove

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for reprove

Miranda did not appear, except at rare intervals, to give some advice but not once to reprove.
Dorothy|Evelyn Raymond
He then followed his master to the Church, who, when he saw the servant there, began to reprove him sharply.
Welsh Folk-Lore|Elias Owen
Mamma made no defence, showed no disposition to reprove, or yet to resent.
Selina|George Madden Martin
But Mrs. Dodd did not condescend to reprove him; she forgave the flippancy of the remark for the sake of the compliment.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume III (of 3)|Charles James Wills

He seemed to feel that by his own irreproachable regularity he would clear himself of blame and reprove the weather.
O Pioneers!|Willa Cather

British Dictionary definitions for reprove

reprove

/ (rɪˈpruːv) /

verb

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

Derived Formsreprovable, adjectivereprover, nounreproving, adjectivereprovingly, adverb

Word Origin for reprove

C14: from Old French reprover, from Late Latin reprobāre, from Latin re- + probāre to examine, approve 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for reprove

reprove

c.1300, from Old French reprover "accuse, blame" (12c.), from Late Latin reprobare "disapprove, reject, condemn" (see reprobate). Related: Reproved; reproving.