Library / English Dictionary

REBUKE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An act or expression of criticism and censure

Example:

he had to take the rebuke with a smile on his face

Synonyms:

rebuke; reprehension; reprimand; reproof; reproval

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("rebuke" is a kind of...):

criticism; unfavorable judgment (disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rebuke"):

riot act (a vigorous reprimand)

chiding; objurgation; scolding; tongue-lashing (rebuking a person harshly)

what for (a strong reprimand)

bawling out; castigation; chewing out; dressing down; earful; going-over; upbraiding (a severe scolding)

berating; blowing up (a severe rebuke)

reproach (a mild rebuke or criticism)

lecture; speech; talking to (a lengthy rebuke)

chastening; chastisement; correction (a rebuke for making a mistake)

admonishment; admonition; monition (a firm rebuke)

Derivation:

rebuke (censure severely or angrily)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Censure severely or angrily

Example:

The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup

Synonyms:

bawl out; berate; call down; call on the carpet; chew out; chew up; chide; dress down; have words; jaw; lambast; lambaste; lecture; rag; rebuke; remonstrate; reprimand; scold; take to task; trounce

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "rebuke" is one way to...):

criticise; criticize; knock; pick apart (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rebuke"):

castigate; chasten; chastise; correct; objurgate (censure severely)

brush down; tell off (reprimand)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

Sam cannot rebuke Sue

Derivation:

rebuke (an act or expression of criticism and censure)

rebuker (someone who finds fault or imputes blame)

Credits

 Context examples: 

She did not rebuke Jo with saintly speeches, only loved her better for her passionate affection, and clung more closely to the dear human love, from which our Father never means us to be weaned, but through which He draws us closer to Himself.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)