rebuke

1 of 3

verb

re·​buke ri-ˈbyük How to pronounce rebuke (audio)
rebuked; rebuking
Synonyms of rebuke

transitive verb

1
a
: to criticize sharply : reprimand
b
: to serve as a rebuke to
2
archaic : to turn back or keep down : check
rebuker noun

rebuke

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an expression of strong disapproval : reprimand

rebuker

3 of 3

noun (2)

re·​buk·​er
-kə(r)
plural -s
: one that rebukes
able to recall that no one was more mischievous than their rebuker in his own youth—A. D. Rees

Synonyms of rebuke

Relevance

Verb

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for rebuke

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

Examples of rebuke in a Sentence

Verb the father was forced to rebuke his son for the spendthrift ways he had adopted since arriving at college strongly rebuked the girl for playing with matches Noun (1) delivered a stinging rebuke to the Congress, calling for an end to backstabbing and arguing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
But voters rebuked his vision for the future of Georgia’s Republican Party, writes Greg Bluestein. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum recently issued one of the strongest rebukes yet. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026
Noun
Trump has also continued to claim Democrats are trying to rig or cheat in the upcoming election, remarks that have faced rebukes from members of his own party. — Ana Ceballos follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 That is likely to draw sharp rebukes from fiscal hawks and other conservatives who question whether billions in tax dollars should be used to pick up costs that would otherwise be paid by enrollees or by the supplemental insurance plans many purchase to do so. — Julie Appleby, CBS News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rebuke

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French rebucher, rebouker to blunt, check, reprimand

Noun (2)

Middle English, from rebuken to rebuke + -er

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebuke was in the 14th century

Rhymes for rebuke

See All Rhymes for rebuke

Browse Nearby Words

rebukable
rebuke
rebukeful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuke. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

rebuke

1 of 2 verb
re·​buke ri-ˈbyük How to pronounce rebuke (audio)
rebuked; rebuking
: to criticize sharply

rebuke

2 of 2 noun
: an expression of strong disapproval

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuke

Nglish: Translation of rebuke for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All