The Meaning of Reprimanded: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of reprimanded? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word reprimanded, including its definition, etymology, usage, examples, and more!

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What does the word reprimanded mean?

According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, the word reprimanded is the past tense of the transitive verb reprimand (pronunciation of reprimand: rep ri mand), meaning to sharply reprove or censure someone. This is usually done from a position of authority. This formal rebuke, severe criticism or severe reproof could come in the form of a letter of reprimand, which is a formal way to reprehend someone or an official rebuke, or a gentle warning. This vehement criticism or reprehension will usually come from an authoritative source. In the case of a job, this expression of disapproval could even come in the form of termination. A board of overseers might reprimand a fellow senator by the power of their official body. A reprimand can also be used as a noun to express blame of a formal sort. This could be in response to unprofessional conduct, off the cuff remarks, a lack of promptness, an outburst, or many other things that could require an expression of criticism. A party could get reprimanded by a police officer to make less noise. The suffix ing can also be added to the end of reprimand to create other definitions of reprimand. 

In some places, an employee could receive a verbal reprimand or other verbal warnings for something. In others, like a government agency, one might receive a different way of reprimand in detention or a formal written official reproof. Feedback might be given during a yearly performance review that could be considered a reprimand. These internal reprimands might prevent someone from receiving promotions. A congressman in the House of Representatives might receive a reprimand in the halls of congress for unparliamentary language. Many different forms of punishment can be considered a reprimand, from a severe scolding to discharge, to different forms of punishment in different legal systems. Many different things can also incite reprimand, from a personal matter to poor decisions to the simulation of authorial impotence involving a high-ranking officer including ; a waiter could even be reprimanded for cold soup. Media in Ireland might reprimand the prime minister in a less official way than a guard or a commission’s recommendation for the Irish budgetary policy. Others might have a degree of solidarity with the prime minister.

Many different languages also contain words that mean reprimanded. You may notice that some of these words look similar to the word reprimanded. These are called cognates. Cognates are when two words that mean the same thing across languages also look and sound alike. These are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations for the word reprimanded is provided by Word Sense

  •  Russian: вы́говор‎ (masc.), взыска́ние‎ (neut.), головомо́йка‎ (fem.), нагоня́й‎ (masc.), вы́волочка‎ (fem.), трёпка‎ (fem.), разно́с‎ (masc.), проволо́чка‎ (fem.), нахлобу́чка‎ (fem.), взбу́чка‎ (fem.)
  •  Macedonian: укор‎
  •  Portuguese: reprimenda‎ (fem.), chamada‎ (fem.)
  •  Italian: reprimenda‎ (fem.), rimprovero‎ (masc.), appunto‎ (masc.), richiamo‎ (masc.)
  •  Persian: توبیخ‎ (tovbix)
  •  Norwegian: refs‎ (masc.), reprimande‎ (masc.)
  •  Hebrew: נזיפה‎
  •  Faroese: átala‎ (fem.)
  •  French: réprimande‎, semonce‎ (fem.)
  •  Spanish: reprimenda‎ (fem.)
  •  German: Zurechtweisung‎ (fem.), Maßregelung‎ (fem.), Rüffel‎ (masc.)
  •  Finnish: nuhtelu‎, ojennus‎

What is the origin of the word reprimanded?

According to Etymonline, the word reprimanded has been sued since the 1630s. This word comes from the French réprimande,a 16th century word that comes from the French obsolete reprimende meaning reproof. This comes from the Latin reprimenda, as in reprimenda culpa, meaning a fault to be checked. This is the singular form of the Latin reprimendus which is the feminine gerundive of reprimere meaning to hold back or curb. This comes from the root re meaning back and premiere meaning to press or cover. The spelling was influenced by the French mander meaning to summon, and is of Proto-Indo-European roots. Reprimand has been used as a verb since the 1680s. 

What are synonyms and antonyms for the word reprimanded?

There are many different words that a person can use in place of the word reprimanded. These are called synonyms, which are words and phrases that have the same meaning as a given word or phrase. These are useful to know if you are trying to expand your vocabulary or avoid repeating yourself. THis list of synonyms for the word reprimanded is provided by Thesaurus

  •  scold
  •  jump on
  •  censure
  •  speak to
  •  check
  •  advise
  •  deposition
  •  alteration
  •  shooting
  •  detention
  •  lambast
  •  enjoin
  •  chasten
  •  growl
  •  come down hard on
  •  sermonize
  •  dress down
  •  reprehend
  •  chide
  •  notice
  •  give piece of mind
  •  denounce
  •  rate
  •  give a going over
  •  take to task
  •  nag
  •  put down
  •  asperse
  •  lay down the law
  •  rake over the coals
  •  rank on
  •  reprove
  •  criticize
  •  reprobate
  •  talk to
  •  objurate
  •  flay
  •  rag
  •  jaw
  •  tell a thing or two
  •  give a talking-to
  •  sit on
  •  exhort
  •  abuse
  •  tell off
  •  rebuke
  •  berate
  •  cavil
  •  light into
  •  call on the carpet
  •  counsel
  •  castigate
  •  expostulate
  •  chew out
  •  rap on knuckles
  •  upbraid
  •  admonish
  •  ding
  •  vituperate
  •  revile
  •  give piece of one’s mind
  •  tick off
  •  forewarn
  •  jack up
  •  lesson
  •  rap
  •  give going-over
  •  recriminate
  •  preach
  •  give a piece of one’s mind
  •  lower the boom
  •  taunt
  •  call down
  •  glue
  •  hoist
  •  disparage
  •  exprobate
  •  reproach
  •  draw the line 
  •  tongue-lashing
  •  keep aft
  •  give the dickens
  •  rail
  •  come down on
  •  lecture
  •  blame
  •  ream
  •  slap on wrist
  •  moralize
  •  monish
  •  warn
  •  vilify

There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word reprimanded. These opposite words are called antonyms, which is another great way to expand your English language vocabulary. This list of antonyms for the word reprimanded is also provided by Thesaurus

  •  applaud
  •  laud
  •  boost
  •  venerate
  •  support
  •  revere
  •  bless
  •  hand it to
  •  kudize
  •  stroke
  •  endorse
  •  hats off to
  •  puff up
  •  flatter
  •  approve
  •  hear it for
  •  reverence
  •  panegyrize
  •  eulogize
  •  countenance
  •  hail
  •  build
  •  speak highly of
  •  extol
  •  compliment
  •  celebrate
  •  pat on the back
  •  advocate
  •  praise
  •  commend
  •  acclaim
  •  build up
  •  sing the praises of
  •  recommend
  •  admire
  •  give a posy
  •  gold star
  •  honor
  •  cry up
  •  worship
  •  magnify
  •  accredit
  •  hymn
  •  adore
  •  sanction
  •  glorify

Overall, the word reprimanded is the past tense of the verb reprimand, meaning to scold. This can be used in numerous different ways to describe a severe blow or punishment made to someone. The word reprimand means to punish or tell off. This might be based on company policy, or a council of ministers, and can happen at any time. Whether tomorrow or last month, a reprimand can still hurt. Never think a reprimand is an impossibility, and take comfort in knowing that everyone is reprimanded sometimes.

Sources:

  1. Reprimanded | Word Sense
  2. reprimand | Origin and meaning of reprimand | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  3. REPRIMAND Synonyms: 67 Synonyms & Antonyms for REPRIMAND | Thesaurus 
  4. LAUD Synonyms: 40 Synonyms & Antonyms for LAUD | Thesaurus 
  5. Reprimand | Definition of Reprimand | Merriam-Webster