reprove

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 10, 2013 is: reprove • \rih-PROOV\  • verb 1 : to scold or correct usually gently or with kindly intent 2 : to express disapproval of : censure 3 : to express rebuke or reproof Examples: "Remember to say 'thank you,'" the mother gently reproved her toddler. "He reproved me, good-naturedly: 'Well, I don't think it's very nice to make fun of my accent!' Chastened, I assured him it was involuntary and that it was a form of homage, not disrespect." - From an article by John Weeks in Contra Costa Times, January 8, 2013 Did you know? "Reprove," "rebuke," "reprimand," "admonish," "reproach," and "chide" all mean to criticize. "Reprove" implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. "Rebuke" suggests a sharp or stern criticism (as in "the letter rebuked her opponents"). "Reprimand" implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke ("he was reprimanded by the ethics committee"). "Admonish" suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel ("admonished to control expenses"). "Reproach" and "chide" suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild scolding ("reproached him for tardiness" and "chided by their mother for untidiness"). Incidentally, the resemblance of "reprove" to "prove" is not coincidental-both words can be traced back to the Latin "probar" ("to test" or "to approve"). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.