moral rebuke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moral rebuke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a criticism or reprimand that addresses someone's ethical or moral behavior. Example: "The teacher issued a moral rebuke to the students for their disrespectful behavior during the assembly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Paris that emerged — poor, grimy, and unposed — was a moral rebuke to the myth of bohemian chic.

The New Yorker

9. "The Dissolute Household" Jan Steen (1626-1679) Few artists combined situation comedy and moral rebuke with more panache than Jan Steen.

The New York Times - Arts

This golf tournament, in the person of its top official, has delivered a needless moral rebuke to a man who has opened his veins in public twice in recent weeks, admitting he had broken his marriage vows, admitting he was taking treatment for an addiction.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mendelson thinks moral self-rebuke is "the hidden theme of the poems in which Eliot simultaneously disdained Jews and confessed his own absolute spiritual failure".

Huffington Post

But moral outrage and public rebuke do not provide legal grounds for backing out of a contract.

The New York Times

Some saw the act as a stroke of moral boldness, an authoritative rebuke to an unjust war and the draft that made it possible.

The New York Times

On the other hand, more restrained (and extra-legal) versions of these attitudes – involving mass demonstrations of moral outrage and public rebuke – are only just beyond the rim of living memory.

Independent

Joseph I. Lieberman assumed not only Mr. Weicker's United States Senate seat but also the Weickerian tradition of being among the first to rebuke, on moral grounds, a president from one's own party.

The New York Times

Carroll rebukes the moral consequence of the action.

The New York Times - Books

He also wrote "What Is a Designer," which combined stern reminders of the importance of sound craftsmanship and designers' moral responsibilities and with stinging rebukes to those that succumbed to commercial pressure to produce "satisfactions on the cheap".

The New York Times - Arts

But what gives the film its unwholesome black-comic fizz, and a measure of originality, is that Belfort never displays any remorse; there is no narrative comeuppance, no rebuke from anyone whose moral authority he recognises.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moral rebuke" when you want to emphasize a strong disapproval rooted in ethical or moral principles. It is appropriate for formal contexts where you want to convey a serious ethical violation.

Common error

Avoid using "moral rebuke" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is quite formal and can sound overly harsh or pretentious in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

Moral rebuke functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an act of expressing strong disapproval or condemnation based on moral or ethical principles. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moral rebuke" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that expresses strong disapproval based on ethical or moral principles. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Although relatively rare in usage, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts to describe formal condemnations. When writing, remember that it is more appropriate for formal contexts and should be avoided in casual settings. Consider related phrases like "ethical condemnation" or "strong disapproval" for similar meanings. Finally, be mindful to avoid overuse in informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral condemnation

Synonymous replacement that maintains the original meaning, focusing on strong disapproval.

moral disapproval

Simple substitution indicating disagreement based on moral principles.

ethical condemnation

Replaces "moral" with "ethical", emphasizing adherence to accepted principles of right and wrong.

stern reprimand

Replaces "rebuke" with a word indicating a formal and serious scolding.

moral denunciation

A more forceful expression of moral condemnation.

public censure

Focuses on formal and often public disapproval or criticism.

strong disapproval

Replaces the formal "rebuke" with a more general term for expressing disagreement or dissatisfaction.

harsh criticism

Emphasizes the severity of the disapproval.

ethical violation accusation

More direct and specific, implying a formal charge of breaking ethical rules.

public shaming

Highlights the aspect of publicly criticizing someone's behavior.

FAQs

How to use "moral rebuke" in a sentence?

You can use "moral rebuke" when you want to express strong disapproval of someone's behavior based on ethical principles. For example: "The politician's actions drew a swift "moral rebuke" from the public".

What can I say instead of "moral rebuke"?

You can use alternatives like "ethical condemnation", "strong disapproval", or "public censure" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "moral rebuke" or "ethical rebuke"?

Both "moral rebuke" and "ethical rebuke" are correct and convey similar meanings. "Moral" generally relates to personal principles of right and wrong, while "ethical" often refers to professional or societal standards. Choose the term that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "moral rebuke" and "criticism"?

"Moral rebuke" implies a stronger, more formal expression of disapproval based on ethical or moral grounds. "Criticism", on the other hand, is a more general term for expressing disapproval or pointing out flaws, which may not necessarily be based on moral principles.