admonish
Gently call out
Admonish is a reprimand that avoids the negative connotations of scold.
When you admonish someone for something, you criticize them.
When you admonish someone to do something, you remind them of the importance or necessity of doing it: The article admonishes users to keep their virus software up to date.
As with other verbs of criticism, there is often a status differential between the admonisher and the one being admonished; rarely do people admonish their superiors.
Rebuke harshly
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
- upbraidCriticize harshly, verbally
censure · reprove · castigate · reproach · chide · reprimand · lecture · criticize
Careful attention to risk
- forewarnAlert in advance
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- adviseGive counsel to
- counselExpert guidance offered
urge · exhort · notify · signal · remind · dissuade · deter · discourage
Deliver religious discourse
- sermonizeSpeak with moral authority
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
- pontificateSpeak in dogmatic manner
- moralizePontificate about ethics
edify · instruct · exhort · didactic · preachy · self-righteous · sanctimonious · holier-than-thou
Strict or ship's aft
sharp · severe · solemn · earnest · serious · disapproving · reproachful · concerned
Free from error
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- straighten outCorrect or organize properly
- set straightCorrect a misconception
put right · guide · redirect · steer · shape up · bring into line · keep in check · call to order
scold
Rebuke harshly
- chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
upbraid · censure · reprove · castigate · reproach · chide · reprimand · lecture · criticize · denounce
caution
Careful attention to risk
counsel · urge · exhort · notify · signal · remind · dissuade · deter · discourage · tip off
preach
Deliver religious discourse
- sermonizeSpeak with moral authority
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
- pontificateSpeak in dogmatic manner
moralize · edify · instruct · exhort · didactic · preachy · self-righteous · sanctimonious · holier-than-thou · judgmental
stern
Strict or ship's aft
harsh · sharp · severe · solemn · earnest · serious · disapproving · reproachful · concerned · caring
correct
Free from error
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- straighten outCorrect or organize properly
set straight · put right · guide · redirect · steer · shape up · bring into line · keep in check · call to order
- rebukescold, reprimand, chide, berate, upbraid
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown
- judgmentsjudgment call, judge, moral judgment, criticize, value judgment
- discouraging actionsdeter, dissuade, daunt, dishearten, demoralize
- encourageencourage, urge, cheer on, exhort, motivate
admonition, admonishing, admonished, admonishment, admonitory, admonishes, admonisher