severe reprimand

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe reprimand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a strong punishment or warning, for example: The supervisor gave the employee a severe reprimand for being late to work again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Shortly after the operation was completed, Chiarelli issued Steele a severe reprimand, effectively ending his career.

The New Yorker

This gained them free rations too, until the government caught on and cut them off with a severe reprimand.

The New York Times

Naming the products that contain her flavors, however, would undermine the confidentiality agreements that Givaudan keeps with its clients, and elicit a severe reprimand.

The New Yorker

It is the largest fine issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the body that regulates accountants, which has also given Deloitte a severe reprimand.

The Guardian - Business

The tribunal issued a "severe reprimand" to Deloitte and levied a fine of £14 million ($22 million) against the accounting firm, a record in Britain.

The New York Times

In addition to the five-day suspension, he has received a severe reprimand and a warning that any further actions of this type will subject him to immediate dismissal, Dillon said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The senior American commander in Iraq has ordered the first punishments in the abuse of prisoners by American soldiers there, issuing severe reprimands to six who served in supervisory positions at Abu Ghraib prison and a milder "letter of admonishment" to a seventh.

The New York Times

"I think what he was trying to do was to contextualize the victory, in that it's just a state, but obviously to include Jackson, and with Obama being another African-American, I will say I've gotten some rather severe reprimands from a number of people, not just African-Americans, about that statement".

The New York Times

It has to be said that fighters who use their fists often receive hefty or even life-time bans and the severity of the shocking scenes that played out during about 20 seconds of violence is likely to end with equally severe reprimands.

Independent

The British Boxing Board of Control will convene a meeting to discuss his role in what happened at the post-fight press conference, and the severity of the shocking scenes that played out during about 20 seconds of violence is likely to end with equally severe reprimands.

Independent

(Mr Rajoy promised that the 2013 target of 3.0% would still be met).In this section Moscow doesn't believe in tears Old school ties A very un-Dutch deficit A two-finger salute to Brussels Bad blood Thinking inside the box Mario, put on your toga ReprintsA few weeks ago such an act of defiance might have sparked market turmoil and severe reprimands from Brussels.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "severe reprimand" when you want to emphasize the seriousness of a disciplinary action or disapproval. It indicates a formal and significant response to a misdeed.

Common error

Avoid using "severe reprimand" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound overly dramatic or out of place in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe reprimand" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb (e.g., receive, issue, face). According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing the act of conveying strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe reprimand" denotes a formal and serious expression of disapproval or disciplinary action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in contexts such as news reporting, legal documentation, and formal communications. While generally appropriate for formal settings, its use in casual contexts can feel overly dramatic. Semantically related phrases include "strong reprimand" and "sharp reprimand", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. To ensure clarity and appropriateness, consider the specific context and audience when using "severe reprimand".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong reprimand

Replaces "severe" with "strong", maintaining the intensity of the disapproval.

serious reprimand

Emphasizes the gravity of the reprimand, highlighting its importance.

sharp reprimand

Substitutes "severe" with "sharp", implying a more pointed or incisive rebuke.

severe rebuke

Similar to "reprimand", but can imply a sharper or more forceful expression of disapproval.

harsh reprimand

Indicates a more punitive or unsparing form of reprimand.

severe censure

Replaces "reprimand" with "censure", indicating a formal and public condemnation.

severe admonition

Implies a warning against future misconduct, carrying a formal tone.

severe reproach

Uses "reproach" instead of "reprimand", suggesting a more personal expression of disapproval.

severe condemnation

Highlights a strong disapproval, implying a moral judgment.

severe criticism

Replaces "reprimand" with "criticism", focusing on the expression of disapproval rather than the formal act.

FAQs

How can I use "severe reprimand" in a sentence?

You can use "severe reprimand" to describe a formal and serious expression of disapproval, such as "The employee received a "severe reprimand" for violating company policy."

What are some alternatives to "severe reprimand"?

Alternatives include "strong reprimand", "sharp reprimand", or "harsh reprimand", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "severe reprimand" the same as "severe censure"?

While both indicate strong disapproval, "severe censure" implies a more formal and public condemnation than a "severe reprimand".

When is it appropriate to use "severe reprimand" instead of "mild warning"?

Use "severe reprimand" when the offense is serious and requires a significant disciplinary response, as opposed to a "mild warning" for minor infractions.