reprimands
Verbal slaps down
Reprimands are formal expressions of disapproval, typically delivered by someone in authority to someone who has done something wrong.
A boss reprimands an employee for repeated lateness; a judge reprimands a lawyer for courtroom misconduct.
The word works as both noun and verb, with the verb suggesting the act of delivering such criticism: She was reprimanded for violating company policy.
Reprimands are official but usually stop short of actual punishment.
Harsh verbal criticism
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- chidingVoicing mild disapproval
- beratingHarsh verbal criticism
- tongue-lashingHarsh verbal scolding
dressing-down · telling-off · harsh · words · criticism · upbraiding · castigation · lambasting
Harsh verbal criticism
- groundingConnecting to earth
- timeoutBrief suspension of play
- lectureEducational spoken presentation
- disappointedLet down by outcome
disobedience · punishment · stern · tone · behavior · consequences · curfew · privilege
Formal institutional disapproval
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
- citationMention of a source
violation · formal · committee · ethics · conduct · resolution · public · statement
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- sinViolation of divine law
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- moralConcerning right conduct
sermon · clergy · congregation · rebuke · spiritual · guidance · repentance · absolution
Related to enforcing rules
- warningAlert about danger
- write-upDocumented account or review
- HREmployee management department
- supervisorOne who directs workers
misconduct · insubordination · performance · verbal · written · probation · termination · policy
scolding
Harsh verbal criticism
tongue-lashing · dressing-down · telling-off · harsh · words · criticism · upbraiding · castigation · lambasting · harangue
scolding
Harsh verbal criticism
disappointed · disobedience · punishment · stern · tone · behavior · consequences · curfew · privilege · chores
censure
Formal institutional disapproval
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning
citation · violation · formal · committee · ethics · conduct · resolution · public · statement · hearing
penance
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- sinViolation of divine law
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
moral · sermon · clergy · congregation · rebuke · spiritual · guidance · repentance · absolution · scripture
disciplinary
Related to enforcing rules
supervisor · misconduct · insubordination · performance · verbal · written · probation · termination · policy · violation
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, denounces, censures
- punishespunishes, penalizes, disciplines, chastises, castigates
- tiradestirades, tirade, rants, rant, harangues
- barrierswalls, wall, fences, fence, barrier
- protestsprotest, demonstration, protest march, demonstrations, rallies
- motivatorsmotivator, rewards, ambition, incentive, incentives
- formal reprimand
- letter of reprimandFormal documented criticism of conduct
- public reprimandOpen official criticism