rebuke
Americanverb (used with object)
-
rebukes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
rebuked,
past participle, past
-
rebuking
present participle
noun
-
rebukes
plural
verb
noun
Synonym Usage
See reproach.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
rebukesimple
-
rebukessimple
-
have rebukedperfect
-
has rebukedperfect
-
am rebukingprogressive
-
are rebukingprogressive
-
is rebukingprogressive
-
have been rebukingperfect progressive
-
has been rebukingperfect progressive
Past
-
rebukedsimple
-
had rebukedperfect
-
was rebukingprogressive
-
were rebukingprogressive
-
had been rebukingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of rebuke
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English rebuken (verb), from Anglo-French rebuker ( Old French rebuchier ) “to beat back,” equivalent to re- re- + bucher “to beat, strike,” from Germanic
Explanation
If you receive a rebuke, it means that you have been reprimanded, or scolded. You're sure to get a rebuke if you forget to do your math homework four days in a row. The word rebuke can be a verb, meaning to sternly reprimand or scold, but it can also be a noun, because a rebuke is the result of being scolded. The root comes from the Old French rebuchier and means "to hack down," or "beat back." A rebuke, then, is meant to be critical and to chide — in today's terms, a rebuke is verbal smack-down!
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In what appeared to be a rebuke of Milei's combative style and language, the Pope said strengthening democracy required a "willingness to listen" and the "careful use of words".
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
The album’s most memorable song was “Not Ready to Make Nice,” a rebuke of a mother who would make her daughter hate a perfect stranger.
From Slate ● Nov. 6, 2026
Bill Shiebler -- chief strategy officer at the non-profit State Voices, a network of advocates for civic engagement and equity -- told AFP the night was "a huge rebuke against hate and division."
From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026
His bigotry has prompted condemnation on the left and right, including a stinging rebuke on these pages from Karl Rove.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
Thomas knew the rebuke should’ve stung, but his mind was too preoccupied.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
It triggered furious rebukes from opposition leaders from across the political spectrum.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Public rebukes followed Hegseth’s decision last month to effectively fire Gen. Chris Donahue, a respected four-star commander who came up the ranks through the special forces.
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026
The decrease is unlikely to put to bed the row over the steep pricing that also drew rebukes from football's governing body, FIFA.
From Barron's ● May 7, 2026
ET drew rebukes from across the political spectrum.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026
When Nasser shifted in his seat, there were immediate rebukes.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
The French government rebuked the video and noted that Ben Gvir is banned from France.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
After he launched FFE last week, he was rebuked by every corner of the game.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Debra Duardo essentially rebuked district budget decisions and a “fiscal stability plan” the school board approved June 16 and sent to the county for review.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026
Afterwards, Korpatsch rebuked the suggestion by 32nd seed Wang that she was "not a fair player".
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
He would cackle with laughter and caper, if any jest was made, or even if Frodo spoke kindly to him, and weep if Frodo rebuked him.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
Figures joins a small group of businesses rebuking the idea that influencer marketing is all about reaching as many people as possible.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
At its peak, there were over 6,000 Shakers, joining Ann in rebuking the gruesome, incalculable evils of war and preaching moral generosity.
From Salon ● Dec. 27, 2025
His stand-up routine included jokes about dating, autism and Tourette’s, and he got extra laughs after rebuking head judge Simon Cowell.
From BBC ● May 25, 2024
A three-judge federal appeals panel reversed her order, rebuking Cannon for a ruling it said she lacked the legal authority to make in the first place.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 16, 2023
“You are much better; anyone can see that,” she says, rebuking me lightly.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
