reprimand

1 of 2

noun

rep·ri·mand ˈre-prə-ˌmand

: a severe or formal reproof

reprimand

2 of 2

verb

reprimanded; reprimanding; reprimands

transitive verb

: to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority

Choose the Right Synonym for reprimand

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely.

reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

Example Sentences

Noun while reviewing the troops, the officer delivered a curt reprimand to one of the soldiers Verb The soldiers were severely reprimanded. reprimanded the summer intern for her constant tardiness

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The reprimand came in a September 2021 order from Chief U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama Emily Marks.

Ivana Hrynkiw | Ihrynkiw@al.com, al, 20 Oct. 2022 The captain, executive officer and top enlisted officer on the ship all received punitive letters of reprimand, which is typically a career ender.

Megan Rose, ProPublica, 23 Sep. 2022 Clearly, your reprimand did not warrant being cussed out and name-called.

Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 23 July 2022 Rambunctious Beaver, who was 7 when the sitcom began, gets into some sort of trouble, then faces his parents for reprimand and correction.

Marc Berman, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022 Those cases included a reprimand in 2016 running the same stop sign over and over in his marked police car in his neighborhood.

Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Ricard was suspended for three days and was issued a formal reprimand.

Li Cohen, CBS News, 2 Sep. 2022 The government took swift action, with the MAS issuing a reprimand against 3AC in June and signaling broader regulation for the industry.

Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022 The article detailed an incident from several months earlier, in which an officer who had arrived to work with a Confederate flag and a noose displayed on his pickup truck had initially avoided an official reprimand.

Marisa Gerber, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022

Verb

Democrats moved swiftly and unequivocally to reprimand Greene, voting to strip her of congressional committee assignments over her incendiary rhetoric, including trafficking in volatile conspiracy theories.

Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 10 Oct. 2022 Both Wayne Drummond, the police chief, and Karrie Howard, the public safety director, refused to reprimand Claudio.

cleveland, 27 Aug. 2022 The Senate rules official also scrapped a provision intended to reprimand drug companies that raise the prices of some prescription drugs faster than inflation for patients with private insurance.

Bytal Axelrod, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2022 But then, on Monday night, Carroll’s school board voted 3-2 to overturn the administration’s decision and formally reprimand Farah, who was named Johnson’s 2021 teacher of the year.

Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 8 Oct. 2021 The Big 12 issued the fine and reprimand in accordance with conference sportsmanship and ethical conduct policies.

Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Feb. 2022 If youngsters got into mischief, any parent on the block was liable to reprimand them.

Mary Grace Keller, Baltimore Sun, 29 May 2022 In addition to the fine, board also voted unanimously to reprimand the medical license of the doctor, Marc D. Legris, and ordered him to take a course in ethics and to practice in a supervised office setting.

Kate Farrish, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2022 Gold medal favorite Kalina Valieva finished her disastrous final performance at Thursday’s Olympics and skated over to the edge of the rink, where her Russian Olympic Committee coach began to reprimand her.

Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reprimand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.