Admonish
verb
To warn or tell someone firmly that they have done something wrong.
The teacher admonished the student for not doing homework.
Often appears as...
- admonish someone for
- admonish against
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To advise someone to do something.
The doctor admonished him to eat a healthier diet.
Often appears as...
- admonish someone to
- admonish that
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To warn or tell someone firmly that they have done something wrong.
The teacher admonished the student for not doing homework.
Often appears as...
- admonish someone for
- admonish against
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To advise someone to do something.
The doctor admonished him to eat a healthier diet.
Often appears as...
- admonish someone to
- admonish that
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Firm Warning
Used when someone strongly warns another to correct behavior or actions.
She admonished the children for running in the halls.
Pro Tip 2/3Authority Figure
'Admonish' is often used by someone in a position of authority.
The coach admonished the player for showing up late to practice.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Sensitivity
The context in which 'admonish' is used indicates disapproval or seriousness.
He was admonished for his unruly conduct at the formal dinner.
Pro Tip 1/3Firm Warning
Used when someone strongly warns another to correct behavior or actions.
She admonished the children for running in the halls.
Pro Tip 2/3Authority Figure
'Admonish' is often used by someone in a position of authority.
The coach admonished the player for showing up late to practice.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Sensitivity
The context in which 'admonish' is used indicates disapproval or seriousness.
He was admonished for his unruly conduct at the formal dinner.
Pro Tip 1/3Firm Warning
Used when someone strongly warns another to correct behavior or actions.
She admonished the children for running in the halls.
Pro Tip 2/3Authority Figure
'Admonish' is often used by someone in a position of authority.
The coach admonished the player for showing up late to practice.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Sensitivity
The context in which 'admonish' is used indicates disapproval or seriousness.
He was admonished for his unruly conduct at the formal dinner.
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Video examples
Kary Mullis: Celebrating...
And we didn't have -- like, my mother presided over the back yard from an upstairs window, where she would be ironing or something like that. And she was usually just sort of keeping an eye on, and if there was any puffs of smoke out there, she'd lean out and admonish us all
Video examples
History's "worst" nun -...
In 1690, a bishop published Sor Juana’s private critique of a respected sermon. In the publication, he admonished Sor Juana to devote herself to prayer rather than debate.
Video examples
Kary Mullis: Celebrating...
And we didn't have -- like, my mother presided over the back yard from an upstairs window, where she would be ironing or something like that. And she was usually just sort of keeping an eye on, and if there was any puffs of smoke out there, she'd lean out and admonish us all
Video examples
History's "worst" nun -...
In 1690, a bishop published Sor Juana’s private critique of a respected sermon. In the publication, he admonished Sor Juana to devote herself to prayer rather than debate.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Barbara Jordan
American Politician
We call ourselves public servants but I'll tell you this: we as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good.
Quote examples
Bradley Whitford
American Actor
I was at the vice president's Christmas party. I thought that his speech was spectacular, and I knew that it was a very emotional and difficult thing for him to do, but I admonished him for not waiting just one more stinking day.
Quote examples
Robert Shapiro
American Lawyer
In court, jurors are admonished by the judge at every recess not to discuss the case or form any opinions until the case is given to them for deliberations. Of course, there is no such limitation on the public.
Quote examples
Sigmund Freud
Austrian Psychologist
Just as a cautious businessman avoids investing all his capital in one concern, so wisdom would probably admonish us also not to anticipate all our happiness from one quarter alone.
Quote examples
David Bradley
English Actor
I'm not exactly watching my back. Most people, there's a twinkle when they admonish me. And I've watched a lot of footage on YouTube of people's reactions to watching me.
Quote examples
Lisa Kennedy Montgomery
American Author
It's really great when you can admonish a lawmaker, but at the same time, get them to talk about the process of making government more transparent, then that's great.
Quote examples
John Ridley
American Director
If some of us can get an Oscar for extolling that it's hard out there for a pimp, why can't others of us admonish: 'Then quit acting like a pimp'?
Quote examples
Pritam Singh
Singaporean Author
Singaporeans like Mr. Alfian Sa'at do not deserve to be admonished in Parliament on the basis of a selective reading of their works.
Quote examples
Richard Corliss
American Writer
TIME's spell-check always admonishes me whenever I compose a sentence in the passive voice, a warning that is often ignored by me.
Quote examples
Publilius Syrus
Roman Writer
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
Quote examples
Barbara Jordan
American Politician
We call ourselves public servants but I'll tell you this: we as public servants must set an example for the rest of the nation. It is hypocritical for the public official to admonish and exhort the people to uphold the common good.
Quote examples
Bradley Whitford
American Actor
I was at the vice president's Christmas party. I thought that his speech was spectacular, and I knew that it was a very emotional and difficult thing for him to do, but I admonished him for not waiting just one more stinking day.
Quote examples
Robert Shapiro
American Lawyer
In court, jurors are admonished by the judge at every recess not to discuss the case or form any opinions until the case is given to them for deliberations. Of course, there is no such limitation on the public.
Quote examples
Sigmund Freud
Austrian Psychologist
Just as a cautious businessman avoids investing all his capital in one concern, so wisdom would probably admonish us also not to anticipate all our happiness from one quarter alone.
Quote examples
David Bradley
English Actor
I'm not exactly watching my back. Most people, there's a twinkle when they admonish me. And I've watched a lot of footage on YouTube of people's reactions to watching me.
Quote examples
Lisa Kennedy Montgomery
American Author
It's really great when you can admonish a lawmaker, but at the same time, get them to talk about the process of making government more transparent, then that's great.
Quote examples
John Ridley
American Director
If some of us can get an Oscar for extolling that it's hard out there for a pimp, why can't others of us admonish: 'Then quit acting like a pimp'?
Quote examples
Pritam Singh
Singaporean Author
Singaporeans like Mr. Alfian Sa'at do not deserve to be admonished in Parliament on the basis of a selective reading of their works.
Quote examples
Richard Corliss
American Writer
TIME's spell-check always admonishes me whenever I compose a sentence in the passive voice, a warning that is often ignored by me.
Quote examples
Publilius Syrus
Roman Writer
Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
Example 1 of 10
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