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Definitions

rebuke

[ri-byook] / rɪˈbyuk /
NOUN
reprimand; harsh criticism
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonition censure condemnation disapproval punishment rebuff reproach snub
STRONG
admonishment affliction berating blame castigation chiding comeuppance correction earful expostulation going-over lecture lesson objurgation ostracism put down rap rating refusal remonstrance reprehension reproof reproval repulse row scolding tongue-lashing upbraiding
WEAK
bawling-out chewing-out dressing-down hard time kick in the teeth slap in the face talking-to telling-off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval encouragement endorsement exoneration praise sanction
STRONG
commendation flattery
WEAK
compliment
VERB
reprimand; criticize harshly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonish berate castigate censure chide go after oppose reprimand reproach scold upbraid
STRONG
blame fry give a talking-to jawbone lecture lesson monish pay rake read reprehend reprove rip zap
WEAK
bawl out call on the carpet carp on chew out climb all over dress down jump down one's throat jump on lay into lean on sit on sound off take to task tear apart tell off tick off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment flatter laud praise

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.

Amid all the big collisions, a gentle shove and a not-so-gentle rebuke generated the most headlines over the weekend.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The unusual probe drew a sharp rebuke from California Atty.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Qatar called the attack "dangerous and irresponsible", while the United Arab Emirates offered a rare rebuke, calling it a "dangerous escalation".

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Under its ownership, Prospect Medical Holdings, a hospital chain, faced plummeting quality metrics and a bipartisan rebuke from a U.S.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

My cousin stiffened under the sheriff’s questions and rebuke and could only say, “Sorry, Sheriff Charles.”

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.