Admonish
verb /ədˈmɒnɪʃ/ — To warn or reprove — firmly but without harshness, for the benefit of the person warned.
Definition
Warn or reprimand someone firmly; advise or urge earnestly; caution against wrongdoing.
Beyond the definition
Admonish is the correction word that preserves the relationship — it reproves without severing. The parent who admonishes the child, the mentor who admonishes the student: both correct from a position of continuing care. It is not condemnation but caution.
Origin & history
From Latin admonere — to advise (ad: to + monere: to warn). Warning toward — the admonition directed at the person for their benefit.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She admonished the committee for the delay — not angrily, but with a firmness that made clear it had been noticed.
He was gently admonished for his tone, which he accepted because it came from someone he trusted.
To admonish is to say: I think you can do better, and I'm saying so because I believe it.
How to use it
This entry uses a verb. Follow the examples for tense and any objects or prepositions it needs.
Choose “Admonish” when the meaning fits your context: Warn or reprimand someone firmly; advise or urge earnestly; caution against wrongdoing.
Synonyms
reprimand, warn, caution, reproach, rebuke
Antonyms
praise, commend, approve
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Heated and Hostile Argument
Two adults argue at a table, one using pointed gestures while the other signals for a pause in the heated disagreement.
The angry, pointed gesture of one adult toward the other represents an attempt to admonish. The scene captures the firm, reprimanding nature of their conflict, where the person's body language is used to caution against the other's behavior during their heated, visible disagreement.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Admonish" mean?
Admonish is verb meaning: To warn or reprove — firmly but without harshness, for the benefit of the person warned.. Warn or reprimand someone firmly; advise or urge earnestly; caution against wrongdoing.
Where does the word "Admonish" come from?
From Latin admonere — to advise (ad: to + monere: to warn). Warning toward — the admonition directed at the person for their benefit.