admonishment

American  

[ad-mon-ish-muhnt] / ædˈmɒn ɪʃ mənt /

noun

1. a variant of admonition.

---

Etymology

Origin of admonishment

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Middle French amonestement, equivalent to admonish ( def. ) + -ment ( def. )

Explanation

When a coach pulls a player aside and sternly reminds him or her to stay focused during the game, that’s an admonishment — a firm but constructive rebuke. An admonishment is a strong warning or correction intended to improve behavior. The term comes from the Latin word admonere, meaning "to warn or advise." When a parent insists that a child finishes homework before playing video games, it's meant to encourage responsibility. Admonishments guide individuals away from mistakes and towards better actions, offering necessary feedback without being overly harsh.

Example Sentences

The article and the judge’s quote were referenced by the judicial panel in the admonishment as improper.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2024

The judge’s admonishment of Peters was breathtaking as he rejected her lies and laid bare her craven motivations and manipulations.

From Slate • Oct. 22, 2024

Writing to Simon Case, the UK's top civil servant, she asked for the material to be removed, with "suitable admonishment for those responsible".

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2024

Despite her admonishment of the prosecutors, Wolfson rejected Smith’s argument that there is a broader culture of misconduct that should bar Rundle’s office from pressing forward on the case.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024

“People are naïve about such things,” Marco says, a phrase oft repeated by his instructor as both admonishment and warning.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern