reprimand

USAGE SUMMARY

"reprimand" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It's a verb meaning to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone for a mistake or undesirable behavior. Example Sentence: The teacher reprimanded the student for not following the school dress code.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The CIA officer who sent these instructions received no reprimand.

The Guardian

Morality police reprimand women on the street who they feel are not appropriately covered, though current president Hassan Rouhani has taken a less hardline approach to the issue than his predecessor.

The Guardian

England, who appealed indiscriminately and in an impassioned manner than on Saturday brought a reprimand from the match referee Hanumant Singh, should consider where such an approach is counter-productive.

The Guardian - Sport

"Who's running this sport??" If Nascar officials were angry, they did not reprimand Hamlin.

The New York Times - Sports

Tomorrow, what will you do?' But I would never reprimand him, because he was honest.

The Guardian

My dad, water gun or bucket in hand, would just laugh as she proceeded to reprimand him about wet mattresses that would now take forever to dry.

The Guardian

Fielding only dares to reprimand small litterers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On March 4th the Council of Europe, the continent's human-rights body, is expected to reprimand the country for not outlawing the corporal punishment of children.

The Economist

Others were charged with meting out an illegal punishment, since Mr Hung's offence should have earned merely a reprimand.

The Economist

See articleIn a rare public reprimand for senior military officers, two American generals were ordered to retire because they failed to defend Camp Bastion in Afghanistan from a Taliban assault last year.

The Economist

Instead, it applauded the decision of a staff disciplinary panel this month to place a formal reprimand on his file.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the intensity of the situation. "Reprimand" suggests a more formal and serious rebuke than alternatives like "scold" or "chide".

Common error

Avoid using "reprimand" when a milder term like "advise" or "correct" would be more appropriate. "Reprimand" implies a significant breach of conduct.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reprimand" is as a transitive verb, used to express formal disapproval. It can also function as a noun, referring to the act of being reprimanded. Ludwig provides examples showing it used in both contexts. The phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

description

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reprimand" is a commonly used term functioning as both a verb and a noun to express formal disapproval or criticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and finds frequent application in formal contexts such as news and media and business settings. When a less serious tone is needed consider alternatives such as "admonish" or "scold".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

censure

Suggests a formal and often public condemnation.

call on the carpet

An idiom implying a formal and often public reprimand.

issue a rebuke

Uses a slightly more formal tone, focusing on the act of issuing a formal expression of disapproval.

take to task

Emphasizes holding someone accountable for their actions.

express disapproval

A more general term indicating disagreement or dissatisfaction, less severe than "reprimand".

admonish

Implies a gentle or earnest reproof.

administer a scolding

Implies a milder, often parental form of criticism.

reproach

Indicates disappointment and mild criticism.

give a talking-to

An informal expression suggesting a stern but friendly lecture.

chide

A gentle form of disapproval or scolding.

FAQs

How to use "reprimand" in a sentence?

"Reprimand" can be used as a verb to express sharp disapproval or as a noun referring to the act of expressing disapproval. For example: "The manager reprimanded the employee for being late", or "The employee received a severe reprimand".

What can I say instead of "reprimand"?

You can use alternatives like "rebuke", "censure", or "admonish" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "reprimand" and "scold"?

"Reprimand" often implies a formal or official rebuke, while "scold" suggests a milder, sometimes parental form of criticism.

When is it appropriate to use "reprimand"?

Use "reprimand" when addressing a significant breach of conduct that warrants a formal expression of disapproval, often in professional or official settings.