rə̇ˈprüv, rēˈp- verb
Etymology: Middle English reproven, repreven, from Middle French reprouver, reprover (3d person singular present indicative repreuve ), from Old French, from Late Latin reprobare to disapprove, condemn, from Latin re- + probare to test, prove — more at prove
transitive verb
1. : to chide as blameworthy : administer a rebuke to : call attention to remissness in often in a kindly or gentle way : seek to correct especially by mild rebuke, suasion, or implication
embarrassed to hear the children reproved in this way — Victoria Sackville-West
2. : to express disapproval of (as conduct, actions, or beliefs) : indicate disapprobation of especially by contrast or implication : censure , condemn
it is not for me to reprove popular taste — D.W.Brogan
3. obsolete : to prove (as an idea or statement) to be false or erroneous : disprove , refute
reprove my allegation, if you can — Shakespeare
4. obsolete : convince , convict
will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness — Jn 16:8 (Authorized Version)
intransitive verb
: to express rebuke or reproof
came … to reprove and exhort — Mary E. Braddon
Synonyms:
rebuke , reprimand , reproach , chide , admonish : reprove indicates an expression of disapproval made without harshness and with mild and kindly urging of betterment
a light to guide, a rod to check the erring, and reprove — William Wordsworth
rebuke indicates a sharper and more severe expression of disapproval, designed to rebuff and check shortly or sharply
must rebuke this drunkenness of triumph — P.B.Shelley
reprimand may indicate a severe, formal or official rebuke
in reprimanding an officer — T.B.Macaulay
reproach indicates upbraiding faultfinding often arising from vexed disappointment of hopes or expectations
bitterly reproach him in your own heart and seriously think that he has behaved very badly to you — Oscar Wilde
chide is likely to indicate mild pointing out of errors, especially venial ones, and lightly scolding for them
there stood he chiding dilatory grooms — Robert Browning
admonish indicates earnest sympathetic or friendly warning, counsel, or exhortation; the notion of reproving for a fault is not stressed
wife who “told a lie, not a pernicious lie, but unadvisedly” was simply admonished — Agnes Repplier
softly admonished the child