rebuke

[ ri-byook ]

verb (used with object)

, re·buked, re·buk·ing.

1. to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.

   Synonyms: admonish, chide, upbraid, censure

noun

1. sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.

   Synonyms: remonstration, censure, reproach

rebuke

/ rɪˈbjuːk /

verb

1. tr to scold or reprimand (someone)

noun

1. a reprimand or scolding

Derived Forms

• reˈbuker, noun
• reˈbukable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·buka·ble adjective
• re·buker noun
• re·buking·ly adverb
• unre·buka·ble adjective
• unre·buked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuke¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuke¹

C14: from Old Norman French rebuker , from re- + Old French buchier to hack down, from busche log, of Germanic origin

Synonym Study

See reproach.

Example Sentences

The quote led to a rare public rebuke of a political candidate by a police chief and calls for Jurado to quit the race or apologize.

From Los Angeles Times

The ritual Democratic self-flagellation is calming down a bit as most people finally take a breath and recognize that while the result was a terrible disappointment it was anything but a landslide for Donald Trump, nor was it a crushing rebuke of the Democrats.

From Salon

And in a stunning rebuke to the progressive movement to reform criminal justice that the region once championed, a majority of voters in all nine Bay Area counties voted in favor of Proposition 36, a statewide ballot measure that will impose stricter penalties for repeat theft and crimes involving fentanyl.

From Los Angeles Times

After Trump condemned an “Obama judge” for ruling against his administration in 2018, Roberts issued a rare public rebuke, scolding the president for besmirching the “independent judiciary.”

From Slate

The fact that she doesn't have biological children might not have been weaponized as a rebuke of her "humbleness."

From Salon

Related Words

• admonish
• berate
• castigate
• censure
• chide
• go after
• oppose
• reprimand
• reproach
• scold
• upbraid