REPROVING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

reproving

verb

present participle of reprove

as in admonishing

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better

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as in reprimanding

to express public or formal disapproval of the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school

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as in disliking

to hold an unfavorable opinion of the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproving

Verb

The move quickly drew widespread criticism and later a formal House resolution admonishing the four-term congressman.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
David’s view If Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Senate race next month, the Saturday clip of him admonishing a GOP activist about freedom of religion will achieve legendary status in his party.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of admonishing

Verb

Lorne Michaels took a liking to him (while disliking his predecessor) and took him under his wing, valuing his creative sense by asking for his feedback on writer packages and taking him to auditions.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
For Pillsbury, the issue seems to be less about disliking the name itself and more about seeing the same joke repeated online.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of disliking

Verb

From behind a tree, Neil and Florence observed Brenda scolding little Neil.

— S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

Pentecostal parents Ruth and Marius were accused of domestic violence, with worldwide protests criticizing what dissenters called harsh and hasty steps taken by Norwegian social workers without proper evidence.

— Tomris Laffly, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Cofer is criticizing Guerra’s absence from the vote and is asking him to publicly state his position on the partnership.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

López’s murder sparked global outcry, with Pope Francis, the United Nations and the human rights arm of the Organization of American States condemning the incident and calling for an independent investigation.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Acton spent Tuesday condemning Ramaswamy for the ad even before his campaign confirmed its provenance.

— Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemning

Verb

Unlike municipalities Uthmeier threatened after rejecting the agreements, these local governments have not formally accepted or rejected a 287(g) collaboration.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
And filmmakers building outside Hollywood’s traditional gates aren’t rejecting the business.

— Chaseedaw Giles, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejecting

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.

Browse Nearby Words

reproves

reproving

reprovingly

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“Reproving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproving. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reproving

verb

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