REPROVE
admonish, reprove, reproof
(verb) take to task; “He admonished the child for his bad behavior”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Verb
reprove (third-person singular simple present reproves, present participle reproving, simple past and past participle reproved)
(intransitive) to express disapproval. [from 14th c.]
(transitive) to criticise, rebuke or reprimand (someone), usually in a gentle and kind tone. [from 14th c.]
(transitive) to deny or reject (a feeling, behaviour, action etc.). [from 14th c.]
Synonyms
• See also reprehend
Etymology 2
Verb
reprove (third-person singular simple present reproves, present participle reproving, simple past reproved, past participle reproven)
(transitive) To prove again.
Source: Wiktionary
Re*prove" (r-prv"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reproved (-prvd"); p. pr. &
vb. n. Reproving.] Etym: [F. réprouver, OF. reprover, fr. L.
reprobare. See Reprieve, Reprobate, and cf. Reproof.]
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition