reprimand

1 of 2

noun

rep·​ri·​mand ˈre-prə-ˌmand How to pronounce reprimand (audio)
: a severe or formal reproof

reprimand

2 of 2

verb

reprimanded; reprimanding; reprimands

transitive verb

: to reprove sharply or censure formally usually from a position of authority
Choose the Right Synonym for reprimand

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely.

reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

Examples of reprimand in a Sentence

Noun while reviewing the troops, the officer delivered a curt reprimand to one of the soldiers Verb The soldiers were severely reprimanded. reprimanded the summer intern for her constant tardiness
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Meanwhile, the four racers who lied about Barrett's identity have been sanctioned with a reprimand under UCI regulations, and the team was fined and suspended from participating in the next race on the UCI International Calendar. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024 The reprimand is not specific about the type of discrimination alleged. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2024 In November, two Indianapolis-area attorneys filed complaints with the Supreme Court’s disciplinary commission, alleging that Rokita committed misconduct for his statement following the court’s reprimand. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Feb. 2024 If adequate security is not provided, there is a process in place that begins with a private reprimand for the first offense, public reprimand for second offense, and the discretion to implement a fine plus additional penalties for a third offense. Staff Report, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 But that moment didn't lead to another and there were no other instances in which an ASU player came close to drawing a reprimand. Michelle Gardner, The Arizona Republic, 20 Jan. 2024 The former chief had filed an appeal to have the reprimand regarding his meeting with the officer removed from his file. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2024 The board based its decision to rescind the reprimand based on documents, affidavits and photographs of the party submitted on Salomon's behalf, according to Army records. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 Testifying in fraud case, Trump clashes with judge and draws reprimands Kevin Wallace, an attorney with James’s office, said the Trump side had only offered stale arguments that courts have already rejected. Mark Berman, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024
Verb
The company is also accused of discriminating against the employees by reprimanding them. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 In the months that followed, Florida's health department removed information on COVID vaccines from its homepage, and reprimanded a county health director for encouraging his staff to get the vaccines, leading to his resignation. Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024 Still, all of this could work in Gladstone’s favor: Even those who didn’t love the movie won’t be able to fault her performance, and rewarding it while ignoring DiCaprio can be seen as a way of reprimanding the film’s own tendency to prioritize his experience over hers. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024 Rokita wound up bringing charges against Bernard and last May the Indiana Medical Licensing Board reprimanded the doctor for violating patient privacy. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Feb. 2024 The Commission of Judicial Conduct reprimanded Cochise County Superior Court Judge John Kelliher, Jr. after two people filed complaints about his behavior toward a mother during a preliminary protective hearing in October 2022. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 5 Jan. 2024 Two of them related to the police chief’s communication with others and one reprimanded Burns for hiring an attorney without the approval of the city council. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2024 Although the state Legislature and school board have publicly reprimanded Cline, the resolutions carry no real punishment. USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2024 Authorities didn’t name the detention officer accused of misplacing the housing sheet but said he was reprimanded, WDEF reported. Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reprimand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French réprimande, from Latin reprimenda, feminine of reprimendus, gerundive of reprimere to check — more at repress

First Known Use

Noun

1636, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reprimand was in 1636

Dictionary Entries Near reprimand

Cite this Entry

“Reprimand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprimand. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reprimand

1 of 2 noun
rep·​ri·​mand ˈrep-rə-ˌmand How to pronounce reprimand (audio)
: a severe or formal criticism

reprimand

2 of 2 verb
: to criticize (a person) severely especially from a position of authority

More from Merriam-Webster on reprimand

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