Words / C2

uhd-MON-ish/ədˈmɒnɪʃ/

To admonish is to warn or rebuke firmly but not savagely (formal): admonish someone for, an admonition (noun). Tell off is everyday; castigate (this batch) is harsher. Admonitory is the rare adjective. Do not admonish a dataset.

Meaning

To warn or tell someone off firmly but not harshly (formal).

Examples

• “The chair admonished the panel for leaking a draft grade.”
• “The chair admonished the panel for leaking a draft grade, then closed the item.”
• “Tell off is everyday. Reprimand is official. Castigate is severe. Admonish is a warning with some care left in it. You admonish people, not spreadsheets.”

Good to know

Reprove; warn firmly (formal). Everyday: tell off. Harsher: castigate. Noun: admonition. People, not files.

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