rebuke Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an act or expression of criticism and censure
    reproof; reproval; reprehension; reprimand.
    • he had to take the rebuke with a smile on his face
  2. verb censure severely or angrily
    call on the carpet; rag; dress down; remonstrate; chew out; take to task; call down; jaw; lambast; trounce; scold; chide; berate; chew up; have words; reprimand; reproof; lecture; bawl out; lambaste.
    • 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

WordNet

Re*buke" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. rebouquier to dull, blunt, F. reboucher; perhaps fr. pref. re- re- + bouche mouth, OF. also bouque, L. bucca cheek; if so, the original sense was, to stop the mouth of; hence, to stop, obstruct.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rebuked ; present participle & verbal noun Rebuking
Definitions
  1. To check, silence, or put down, with reproof; to restrain by expression of disapprobation; to reprehend sharply and summarily; to chide; to reprove; to admonish.
    The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered, Nor to rebuke the rich offender feared. Dryden.
    Syn. -- To reprove; chide; check; chasten; restrain; silence. See Reprove.
Re*buke" noun
Definitions
  1. A direct and pointed reproof; a reprimand; also, chastisement; punishment.
    For thy sake I have suffered rebuke. Jer. xv. 15.
    Why bear you these rebukes and answer not? Shak.
  2. Check; rebuff. Obs. L'Estrange.

Webster 1913