rebuke

VERB

[/rɪˈbjuːk/]

to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions

💡 Concept

Pointing at the messy red crayon on the wall, the angry mother delivered a harsh rebuke to her crying son.

🧠 Mnemonic

RE(back) + BUKE(strike) — striking BACK(RE) at the employee with harsh, angry words, the boss delivered a severe rebuke.

🎵 Rhyme

Finding his expensive golden crown broken, the furious duke decided to fiercely rebuke the clumsy servant.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/rɪˈbjuːk/

🇬🇧 UK/rɪˈbjuːk/

🌳Etymology

Prefixre--

Rootbuke

Origin

From Old French 'rebukier' meaning 'to beat back' or 'to repel', derived from re- (back) + buche (a blow or hit), ultimately from Germanic roots.

Breakdown

re- (back, again) + buke (to strike/rebuff, from Old French buche) = rebuke (to strike back with words, to reprove)

🎵Rhyme

dukeflukenukepuke

duke

fluke

nuke

puke

🔗Collocations

sharply rebuke

rebuke someone for

public rebuke

harsh rebuke

mild rebuke

deserve a rebuke

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The boss rebuked him for wearing pajamas to the important meeting.”

“She received a gentle rebuke from her grandmother for eating ice cream before dinner.”

😄 Fun example

“The politician faced public rebuke after his embarrassing dance video went viral.”

“The judge rebuked the lawyer for his inappropriate behavior in court.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

scoldreprimandchastiseadmonishreproach

Antonyms

praisecommendapprove

criticizeblamecensurecondemn

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rebuke — to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions

Example Sentences