rebuking
Delivering stern disapproval
Rebuking is sharply criticizing or reprimanding someone for a fault or wrongdoing.
The word carries a sense of authority—parents rebuke children, judges rebuke lawyers, supervisors rebuke employees: She rebuked him for his carelessness.
A rebuke is more pointed than mere disapproval but less severe than a condemnation.
Formal expression of disapproval
- admonishReprove with counsel
- scoldRebuke harshly
- chideRebuke mildly
- berateCriticize severely and lengthily
upbraid · reproach · censure · chastise · lecture · reprove · tongue-lashing · lambaste
Formal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- opprobriumSevere public disapproval
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
animadversion · vituperation · admonishment · reprobation · excoriation · stricture · sanction · rebuff
Unfavorable opinion expressed
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- disdainScornful disregard
indignation · displeasure · dissatisfaction · shame · humiliation · sting · mortification · guilt
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
berate · upbraid · reproach · censure · chastise · lecture · reprove · tongue-lashing · lambaste · castigate
censure
Formal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- opprobriumSevere public disapproval
castigation · animadversion · vituperation · admonishment · reprobation · excoriation · stricture · sanction · rebuff · objurgation
disapproval
Unfavorable opinion expressed
disdain · indignation · displeasure · dissatisfaction · shame · humiliation · sting · mortification · guilt · remorse
- reproachesblaming, scolding, reprimanding, censuring, criticizing
- scoldingscold, scolding, berate, reprimand, nagging
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- gripingcomplaining, grumbling, griping, grousing, kvetching
- reactionsreaction, response, gasp, wince, flinch
- beatingsbeating, thrashing, pummeling, pounding, battering
rebukingpraising
Voicing admiration
commending · complimenting · lauding · extolling · applauding
rebukingrewarding
Providing satisfaction or benefit
encouraging · endorsing · supporting · affirming · celebrating