was rebuked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was rebuked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone was criticized or reprimanded for their actions or behavior. Example: "After the meeting, he was rebuked by his supervisor for not meeting the project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was rebuked".

The New Yorker

"I was rebuked, I was attacked," he said.

Independent

When I was rebuked by contacts, I feared.

The Economist

He was rebuked by the Republican leader, Trent Lott.

The New York Times

Rabinowitz was rebuked by the judge for wearing slacks.

The New York Times - Books

There, he was rebuked and disbelieved until the Virgin's image materialized on his cloak.

The New Yorker

Though Idemitsu was rebuked by his own government, his action was highly popular in both countries.

The New York Times

Shortly thereafter, he was rebuked by his government for an unauthorized intervention in Korea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The British government was rebuked for providing funds to nonmilitant Salafi organizations.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Broder was rebuked in the pages of The Post by its ombudsman, Deborah Howell.

The New York Times

"What astonished me was that he was rebuked by the secretary for doing it that way".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was rebuked", ensure the context clearly identifies who did the rebuking and for what reason to provide a complete understanding to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was rebuked" without specifying who issued the rebuke. Ambiguous passive voice can weaken your writing and leave the reader wondering about the source of the criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was rebuked" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received a strong criticism or reprimand. It's commonly used to report on events where an individual or entity has been officially or publicly censured. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples in journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1.72%

Wiki

3.45%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was rebuked" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that someone has received strong criticism or a reprimand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and primarily appears in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to clearly identify who issued the rebuke to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "was reprimanded" or "was criticized harshly", depending on the desired nuance. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was criticised harshly

Directly states the act of being harshly criticised.

was taken to task

Indicates that someone was held accountable and criticized for their actions or performance.

received a reprimand

Focuses on the formal act of receiving a reprimand, often in an official context.

was admonished

Implies a gentle but firm warning or reprimand, often with the intent to correct behavior.

faced censure

Highlights the formal disapproval or condemnation, often by an authoritative body.

was called out

Suggests a public or direct confrontation and criticism of someone's behavior.

came under fire

Emphasizes the intensity of the criticism, suggesting a strong and possibly public attack.

drew condemnation

Emphasizes widespread and strong disapproval.

incurred disapproval

Highlights that an action resulted in receiving disapproval.

met with disapproval

Simply means encountered disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "was rebuked" in a sentence?

The phrase "was rebuked" indicates that someone received strong criticism or a reprimand. For example, "The politician "was rebuked" for his controversial statements."

What are some alternatives to "was rebuked"?

Alternatives to "was rebuked" include "was reprimanded", "was admonished", or "was criticized". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "rebuke"?

Using the active voice (e.g., "The manager rebuked the employee") is often more direct and clear. However, the passive voice ("The employee "was rebuked" by the manager") can be useful when the recipient of the rebuke is the focus or when the rebuker is unknown or unimportant.

What is the difference between "was rebuked" and "was criticized"?

"Was rebuked" implies a stronger, more formal reprimand than "was criticized". Criticism can be mild or informal, while a rebuke suggests a more serious and authoritative disapproval.