Standard Lemma guide

reproof

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ɹɪˈpɹuːf/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -uːf
  • /ɹiːˈpɹuːf/

1

noun

Meaning 1

An act or instance of reproving or of reprobating; a rebuke, a reproach, an admonition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To proof again.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • We need to reproof the book before publication.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

an act or expression of criticism and censure

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he had to take the rebuke with a smile on his face

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rebuke, reproval, reprehension, reprimand

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: criticism, unfavorable judgment

Narrower terms: riot act, chiding, scolding, objurgation, tongue-lashing, what for, castigation, earful, bawling out, chewing out, upbraiding, going-over, dressing down, berating, blowing up, reproach, lecture, speech, talking to, correction, chastening, chastisement, admonition, admonishment, monition

4

verb

Meaning 4

censure severely or angrily

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
  • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
  • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: call on the carpet, take to task, rebuke, rag, trounce, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: knock, criticize, criticise, pick apart

Narrower terms: chastise, castigate, objurgate, chasten, correct, tell off, brush down

History

Etymology

From Old French reprove, from reprover. See reprove.

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *wre- Latin re-der. Old French re-bor. Middle English re- English re- English proof English reproof From re- + proof.

Across languages

Translations

25 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: عِتَاب (ʕitāb) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Armenian: սաստ (sast) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Bulgarian: укор (ukor) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Bulgarian: порицание (poricanie) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Dutch: berisping — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Dutch: verwijt — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Finnish: moite — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • German: Ermahnung — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • German: Vorwurf — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Gothic: 𐌲𐌰𐍃𐌰𐌷𐍄𐍃 (gasahts) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Ancient Greek: ἐλεγμός (elegmós) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Icelandic: ávítur — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Irish: spreagadh — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Manx: oghsan — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Polish: baty — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Polish: cięgi — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Russian: о́тповедь (ótpovedʹ) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Russian: замеча́ние (zamečánije) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Russian: вы́говор (výgovor) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Russian: порица́ние (poricánije) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Russian: упрёк (uprjók) — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Scottish Gaelic: trod — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Scottish Gaelic: cronachadh — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Scottish Gaelic: càineadh — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke
  • Spanish: reprobación — act or instance of reproving; a rebuke