reprove Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb take to task
    admonish.
    • He admonished the child for his bad behavior

WordNet


Re*prove" transitive verb
Etymology
F. réprouver, OF. reprover, fr. L. reprobare. See Reprieve, Reprobate, and cf. Reproof.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Reproved present participle & verbal noun Reproving
Definitions
  1. To convince. Obs.
    When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. John xvi. 9.
  2. To disprove; to refute. Obs.
    Reprove my allegation, if you can. Shak.
  3. To chide to the face as blameworthy; to accuse as guilty; to censure.
    What if thy son Prove disobedient, and, reproved, retort, "Wherefore didst thou beget me?" Milton.
  4. To express disapprobation of; as, to reprove faults.
    He neither reproved the ordinance of John, neither plainly condemned the fastings of the other men. Udall.
    Syn. -- To reprehend; chide; rebuke; scold; blame censure. -- Reprove, Rebuke, Reprimand. These words all signufy the expression of disapprobation. To reprove implies greater calmness and self-possession. To rebuke implies a more excited and personal feeling. A reproof may be administered long after the offience is committed, and is usually intended for the reformation of the offender; a rebuke is commonly given at the moment of the wrong, and is administered by way of punishment and condemnation. A reprimand proceeds from a person invested with authority, and is a formal and offiscial act. A child is reproved for his faults, and rebuked for his impudence. A military officer is reprimanded for neglect or violation of duty.

Webster 1913