admonish
verb
transitive verb
Mark Pothier Louise Erdrich 
Did you know?
When should you use admonish?
We won't admonish you if you don't know the origins of this word—its current meanings have strayed slightly from its history. Admonish was borrowed in the 14th century (via Anglo-French amonester) from Vulgar Latin admonestāre, which itself is probably a derivative of admonestus, the past participle of the Latin verb admonēre, meaning "to warn." Admonēre, in turn, was formed by the combination of the prefix ad- and monēre, "to warn." Other descendants of monēre in English include monitor, monitory ("giving a warning"), premonition, and an archaic synonym of admonish, monish. Incidentally, admonish has a number of other synonyms as well, including reprove, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and chide.
Synonyms
- chide
- rebuke
- reprimand
- reproach
- reprove
- tick off
Example Sentences
Peter Kaminsky, New York Times, 17 June 2001 He is sympathetic but never condescending, or patronizing, or moralizing. His purpose is not to admonish or deplore but to understand. C. Vann Woodward, New York Times Book Review, 5 Feb. 1989 Cops are, from the first day in the academy, admonished that juveniles must not be shot unless in dire emergency … Joseph Wambaugh, Lines and Shadows, 1984 They were admonished to take advantage of the opportunity. my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 An exuberant Yaz popped up from the turf after the tumbling circus catch and raised high his right arm, brandishing the ball as if to admonish the baseball gods that were so routinely cruel to early-’60s Sox. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Wealthy countries admonish developing ones to use renewable energy. Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ, 20 June 2022 Insulted and angry, residents have been showing up at public meetings since March, unsuccessfully demanding DiPierro’s resignation and pleading with his fellow councilors to formally admonish him. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 May 2022 Frequent errors on tenant screening reports, often related to false eviction reports or criminal records, led government watchdogs to admonish the industry last year to improve its accuracy. ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2022 Burns had to pause the proceedings several times, to tell Zaloun to answer the questions and admonish the defense not to repeat questions. Megan Crepeau, chicagotribune.com, 30 Sep. 2021 According to linguistics expert, Maxine Ali, the word wasn’t always used to admonish people. Rose Stokes, refinery29.com, 26 Dec. 2021 This Lady Macbeth is fiercely loving and loyal, protective of her husband even (especially) in his moments of weakness, and apt to admonish him in that no-nonsense, commonsensical tone that McDormand nails better than just about any actor. Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English amonysshen, admonisshen, amonescen, alteration (with assimilation to the verbal suffix -issh, -esce, borrowed from Anglo-French -iss-, going back to the Latin inceptive suffix -ēsc-, -īsc-) of amonesten, borrowed from Anglo-French amonester, going back to Vulgar Latin *admonestāre, probably derivative of *admonestus, past participle of Latin admonēre "to give a reminder to, give advice to, caution" (modeled on comestus, past participle of comedere "to eat up, consume") from ad- ad- + monēre "to bring to the notice of, give warning" — more at mind entry 1
Note: The source of *admonestāre is uncertain. A cross between admonēre and molestāre, "to disturb, annoy, worry," has been hypothesized, though the lack of any Romance progeny for molestus, molestāre, etc., militates against the presence of this verb in proto-Romance.
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
admonish
verb
admonish
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- reprimand
- scold
- criticize
- chide
- blame
- rebuke
- reprove
- fault
- reproach
- berate
- condemn
- get after
- upbraid
- get on
- mock
- tick off
- castigate
- excoriate
- harangue
- censure
- crucify
- lambast
- lecture
- reprehend
- denounce
- disparage
- assail
- burn one's ears
- flay
- lambaste
- belittle
- attack
- deride
- lash
- minimize
- ridicule
- dress down
- rate
- keelhaul
- bad-mouth
- knock
- deprecate
- diss
- scoff
- slam
- chew out
- jaw
- pan
- abuse
- scorn
- score
- rail (at or against)
- blast
- dis
- put down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approve
- endorse
- indorse
- okay
- sanction
- applaud
- extol
- salute
- praise
- laud
- tout
- extoll
- hail
- OK
Synonyms & Similar Words
- warn
- advise
- teach
- convince
- encourage
- tell
- inform
- counsel
- adjure
- coach
- urge
- persuade
- caution
- alert
- exhort
- instruct
- forewarn
- guide
- implore
- beg
- apprise
- mentor
- brief
- steer
- shepherd
- induce
- recommend
- familiarize
- tutor
- suggest
- fill in
- acquaint
- propose
- lead
- show
- clue (in)
- direct
- pilot
- direct
- wise (up)
- talk (into)
- prevail (upon)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of admonish are chide, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.
The words rebuke and admonish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.
While in some cases nearly identical to admonish, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.
Both reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.
The words reprove and admonish can be used in similar contexts, but reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.