reprimand
To tell someone off formally, especially as the person in charge.
reprimand in a sentence
- The coach reprimanded the players for showing off instead of passing the ball.
- The librarian had to reprimand the boys who were racing trolleys between the shelves.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to reprimand?
- Areward
- Bscold
- Cpraise
- Dthank
Show the answer
B: scold. The other three mean the opposite of reprimand.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to reprimand?
- Ascold
- Bpraise
- Crebuke
Show the answer
B: praise. The other three mean nearly the same as reprimand.
Words that mean something similar
scold, rebuke
Words that mean the opposite
praise, reward, thank
More words about speech & sound
- retort: To answer back quickly and sharply.
- reveal: To show or tell something that was hidden.
- sarcastic: Saying the opposite of what you mean to make fun of someone.
- scold: To tell someone off angrily for doing something wrong.
- shriek: To give a sudden loud high scream; or the scream itself.
- shrill: So high and piercing that it hurts your ears.
- squabble: To argue noisily about something small and unimportant.
- stammer: To speak with pauses and repeated sounds, finding it hard to get words out.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test