admonished

[ad-mon-isht] / ædˈmɒn ɪʃt /

VERB

warn, strongly criticize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advise berate censure chide enjoin exhort rebuke reprimand scold upbraid warn

STRONG

check counsel ding forewarn glue growl hoist notice rap reprove

WEAK

call down call on the carpet come down hard on draw the line give a going over give a piece of one's mind jack up rap on knuckles sit on slap on wrist speak to talk to tell a thing or two tell off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow compliment flatter laud permit praise

WEAK

applaud approve commend extol

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.

When I admonished my 7 year-old for complaining too much during a particularly wonderful excursion, she retorted, “Daddy, complaining is my passion!”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

An hour after police arrived, the watch commander admonished officers for failing that job.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

"Don't ever say what you said," he admonished reporters.

From Salon • May 28, 2025

The court admonished her and released her without further punishment.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

“That’s enough, Jimmie,” Mom admonished him while Dad stood in stricken silence.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam