rebuke
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
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!
Vocabulary lists containing rebuke
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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:
Chinese authorities have not responded to the Philippines' rebuke.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
It looked like a semantic quibble but in these circles, it was a serious accusation, one that drew rebuke even from Elmore’s husband, Ronny Fernandez, a rationalist and self-described “unlicensed philosopher.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
But it serves as an unwitting rebuke to Chávez’s ultimate place in L.A. — a speck in a rich tapestry that was around before him and will exist long after.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
He called upon people to love their enemies, not rebuke them or disparage their existence.
From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026
Though I could not deliver justice for the crimes of Claudius, nor rebuke Gertrude for being fickle, I did strike at their consciences.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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
He said Muscat had not fallen out of favour with Washington, despite the rebukes.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
The U.S. ambassadors to France and Poland have also gotten into disputes with the countries in which they are stationed, drawing rebukes from Paris and Warsaw.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
The legal defeats mark the latest rebukes of federal prosecutors’ aggressive attempts to charge protesters in L.A. under First Asst.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2026
In stinging rebukes, Strong questioned William’s loyalty and friendships, and at one point limited his contact with British officers.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
They will also be the first under new Federal Reserve boss Kevin Warsh after he last month replaced Jerome Powell, who was constantly rebuked by Trump for not cutting interest rates enough.
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
Afterwards, Korpatsch rebuked the suggestion by 32nd seed Wang that she was "not a fair player".
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
The governor’s office sharply rebuked the court’s action.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026
In the television studio, Norwegian sports legends rebuked him for upstaging his teammate who won gold.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
The same part of my mind that had rebuked me over my fishing fiasco scolded me again.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
In March, Roberts issued a rare statement rebuking those impeachment calls.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 31, 2025
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
“Thank you for this exhausting dressing down of the probation department,” Preven said last Tuesday after the supervisors wrapped up rebuking officials for paltry programming inside juvenile halls.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 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
“You are much better; anyone can see that,” she says, rebuking me lightly.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
Definitions 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.
