reproved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reproved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of reprimanding or expressing disapproval towards someone for their actions or behavior. Example: "The teacher reproved the student for not completing his homework on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In his annual state address, he also called for more defence spending, and reproved external critics and enemies.Nicolas Sarkozy, France's interior minister and would-be president, testified to investigating judges in the "Clearstream affair".

The Economist

From 353 to 356 Hosius strongly resisted the efforts of the Arian emperor Constantius II to have Athanasius condemned by the Western bishops and in a famous letter reproved Constantius for intruding into ecclesiastical matters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His highly emotional and intransigent religious observance brought him into conflict with his shaykh (teacher), whom he reproved for worldliness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reproved by the host of the inn for his tedious narrative of "The Tale of Sir Thopas," Chaucer in his own persona offers this prose allegory, a close translation of a French adaptation of a 13th-century Italian story.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Robert Greene's deathbed tract, Greenes groats-worth of witte, Marlowe is referred to as a "famous gracer of Tragedians" and is reproved for having said, like Greene himself, "There is no god" and for having studied "pestilent Machiuilian pollicie".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dartmouth refused to assist the king in getting James Edward, Prince of Wales, out of the country, and he even reproved the king for attempting this proceeding.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His defeat of Nathaniel at Chester has proved top-class form, while his performance at the Curragh reproved those still infatuated by horses that had brought bigger reputations to Epsom.

Independent

While Muslim fundamentalist legalists reproved samāʿ as an innovation (bid ʿah), some Muslim scholars held that it was a useful innovation since it might bring souls nearer to God.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dominant purist grammarians have always opposed influence from foreign languages and reproved their fellows for sullying their language with lavish borrowing (at present primarily from English), but they have never been able to stem the flood of neologisms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There he was converted to Christianity, but, on being reproved for practicing pagan astrology, he returned to Judaism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His listeners, having been reproved for their indifference to the disadvantaged, generally come to feel that they've been puzzling out a rescue plan with him — unlike other shirkers in the room.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reproved" when you want to convey a sense of formal or serious disapproval. It's stronger than simply 'criticized' but less harsh than 'condemned'.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "reproved" (to express disapproval) with 'disproved' (to show something is false). The similar spelling can lead to errors.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reproved" is that of a verb in the past simple tense. It indicates an action of expressing disapproval or gently correcting someone that occurred in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reproved" is a versatile verb in the past simple tense, used to express disapproval or gentle correction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While similar to words like "admonished" and "rebuked", it occupies a middle ground in terms of severity. It is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, making it a useful addition to any writer's vocabulary. Remember to use "reproved" to indicate disapproval or correction of a past action or behavior, and be mindful of its spelling to avoid confusion with 'disproved'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admonished

Implies a gentle or formal reprimand, often with a cautionary tone.

rebuked

Suggests a sharp or stern disapproval, often delivered publicly.

chastised

Indicates a severe scolding or punishment, often for wrongdoing.

reprimanded

Implies a formal and official rebuke, often from a position of authority.

scolded

Suggests a mild and informal reprimand, often used with children.

criticized

Indicates disapproval or fault-finding, often without intending to correct.

censured

Implies a formal condemnation or expression of strong disapproval.

reproached

Suggests expressing disapproval or disappointment.

condemned

Indicates strong disapproval and judgment, often on moral grounds.

deprecated

Expresses disapproval of or disagreement with.

FAQs

How is "reproved" used in a sentence?

The word "reproved" is the past tense of the verb 'reprove', which means to gently correct or express disapproval. For example, 'The teacher "reproved" the student for talking during the lesson'.

What's the difference between "reproved" and "admonished"?

"Reproved" and "admonished" both mean to express disapproval, but 'admonished' often implies a more gentle and cautionary tone, while "reproved" suggests a firmer correction.

What are some synonyms for "reproved"?

Synonyms for "reproved" include "rebuked", "chastised", "reprimanded", and "scolded". The best choice depends on the context and the severity of the disapproval.

Is it correct to use "reproved" in formal writing?

Yes, "reproved" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of serious but not overly harsh disapproval. It is more appropriate in professional or academic contexts than words like 'scolded'.