REPROVING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

reproving

verb

present participle of reprove

as in admonishing

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault my piano teacher often reproves me for slouching while playing, observing that good posture helps one play better

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as in reprimanding

to express public or formal disapproval of the principal reproved the hockey team for their display of poor sportsmanship on the ice and ordered that a letter of apology be sent to the other school

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as in disliking

to hold an unfavorable opinion of the older generation has always reproved the younger generation's taste in music

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproving

Verb

Regardless, this issue could have resolved if the Giants had issued a statement straight away either defending their players’ First Amendment right to express their views or admonishing them for violating the term of the CBA.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
In the viral video after the shooting, neighbors can be heard angrily admonishing officers for killing the dog.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

Definition of admonishing

Verb

Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Do not punish your dog by scolding or yelling at them, as this may make your dog's behavior worse out of fear or stress.

— Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of scolding

Verb

The City Council, which is considering censuring the mayor, asked for assistance because the city’s Human Resources director wasn’t available at the time, according to Mayor Pro Tem Tara Graves.

— Elijah Megginson, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
As this memoir opens, Iran’s morality police stalk the university where Nafisi works, censuring her female students.

— The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026

Definition of censuring

Verb

Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
McCain has often spoken out against the British royal family and Markle, in particular, routinely criticizing her on the Happy Hour talk series during the 2025 release of Markle’s docuseries With Love, Meghan.

— Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticizing

Verb

When asked whether Cunningham’s supporters had received fair treatment from the WNBA, Paxton stopped short of condemning the league.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
In addition to the payments, Harvard Medical School agreed to provide families with a statement condemning Lodge’s actions and summarizing improvements made to the Anatomical Gift Program.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemning

Verb

The issue has split circuit courts, with the 9th Circuit (which Idaho is part of) and six other circuit courts rejecting the administration’s position.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026
These critiques assume that people rejecting vaccines have access to good information about them, but that’s not always the case, Marnik said.

— Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of rejecting

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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reproves

reproving

reprovingly

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“Reproving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproving. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of reproving

verb

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