Admonish: Meaning, Definition, Synonyms, Antonyms

Discover the meaning of admonish, its pronunciation, definitions, synonyms, antonyms, origin, and usage in sentences. Learn how to use admonish correctly in English.

Admonish: Definition, Meaning, Pronunciation, Synonyms, Antonyms, and Usage

Pronunciation

UK: /ədˈmɒn.ɪʃ/
US: /ədˈmɑː.nɪʃ/

Definitions

1. To warn or reprimand someone firmly.
   • Example: The teacher admonished the student for talking during the lesson.
2. To advise or urge someone earnestly.
   • Example: She admonished him to drive carefully in the rain.
3. To remind someone of their duty or responsibility.
   • Example: The manager admonished the staff to complete their reports on time.

Meaning

The verb admonish conveys a sense of warning, caution, or reprimand. It is often used when expressing disapproval of someone’s behavior, giving guidance, or reminding someone to fulfill an obligation. The tone can range from gentle advice to stern reprimand, depending on the context.

Synonyms

• Warn
• Rebuke
• Reprimand
• Scold
• Caution
• Advise
• Reproach
• Chide

Antonyms

• Praise
• Encourage
• Approve
• Compliment
• Commend

History and Origin

The word admonish comes from the Latin word admonere, which means “to warn or advise.”

• Ad (toward) + monere (to warn or remind)
  In Middle English, the word evolved from Old French “amonester”, which carried a similar meaning.

Grammar Rules and Usage

• Verb Forms: admonish (base), admonishes (third-person singular), admonished (past tense and past participle), admonishing (present participle).
• Common Sentence Structures:
  • Admonish + object → The coach admonished the players for not practicing enough.
  • Admonish + object + for + action → She admonished her brother for being careless.
  • Admonish + object + to + verb → The teacher admonished the students to study harder.

Mandarin Chinese (中文)

• Meaning: 劝告，警告，责备
• Definition: 温和地警告或责备某人，通常是为了纠正其行为或提供建议。

Arabic (العربية)

• Meaning: نَصَحَ، وَبَّخَ، حَذَّرَ
• Definition: توجيه اللوم أو التحذير لشخص ما بلطف أو بصرامة لتصحيح سلوكه أو تقديم نصيحة.

Hindi (हिंदी)

• Meaning: चेतावनी देना, डाँटना, समझाना
• Definition: किसी को दृढ़ता से चेतावनी देना या सलाह देना ताकि वह अपने व्यवहार को सुधार सके।

Spanish (Español)

• Meaning: amonestar, advertir, reprender
• Definition: Reprender o advertir a alguien de manera firme para corregir su comportamiento o dar un consejo.

Portuguese (Português)

• Meaning: advertir, repreender, aconselhar
• Definition: Advertir ou repreender alguém de maneira firme para corrigir seu comportamento ou dar um conselho.

Bengali (বাংলা)

• Meaning: সতর্ক করা, তিরস্কার করা, উপদেশ দেওয়া
• Definition: কারও আচরণ সংশোধন করতে বা পরামর্শ দিতে দৃঢ়ভাবে সতর্ক বা তিরস্কার করা।

Russian (Русский)

• Meaning: предостерегать, увещевать, делать выговор
• Definition: Предупреждать или порицать кого-либо с целью исправления поведения или дачи совета.

Japanese (日本語)

• Meaning: 注意する, 叱る, 戒める
• Definition: 誰かの行動を正すために警告したり、助言したりすること。

French (Français)

• Meaning: réprimander, avertir, conseiller
• Definition: Réprimander ou avertir quelqu’un fermement pour corriger son comportement ou donner un conseil.

Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ)

• Meaning: ସଚେତନ କରିବା, ଡାଟିବା, ଉପଦେଶ ଦେବା
• Definition: କାହାକୁ ତାଙ୍କର ଆଚରଣ ସଠିକ୍ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଦୃଢ଼ ଭାବରେ ସଚେତନ କରିବା କିମ୍ବା ଉପଦେଶ ଦେବା।

Conclusion

The verb admonish is widely used in both formal and informal contexts to express caution, reprimand, or advice. It plays a key role in communication when someone needs to be reminded or warned about their actions.

FAQs about Admonish

1. What does the word admonish mean?
   Admonish means to warn, reprimand, or advise someone firmly, often as a form of correction or guidance.
2. What is the origin of the word admonish?
   It comes from the Latin admonere, meaning “to warn or remind,” and later evolved through Old French into Middle English.
3. How do you use admonish in a sentence?
   Example: The teacher admonished the student for not completing his homework on time.
4. What are some synonyms of admonish?
   Some synonyms include warn, reprimand, scold, rebuke, reproach, and caution.
5. What is the opposite of admonish?
   Antonyms of admonish include praise, commend, approve, encourage, and compliment.
6. Is admonish a positive or negative word?
   It depends on the context. It can have a negative connotation when used as a reprimand but can be positive when given as constructive advice.
7. Can admonish be used in a formal setting?
   Yes, admonish is commonly used in formal writing and speech, such as workplace discussions, academic writing, and legal contexts.