admonish
ad-MON-ish
/ædˈmɒn.ɪʃ/
To warn or reprimand someone firmly but gently; to advise or urge earnestly.
Admonish is preventative and educational. It is not meant to humiliate, but rather to steer someone away from a future mistake with a serious, well-meaning warning.
The story behind the word. Admonish comes to us from the Latin verb 'admonere', which combines the prefix 'ad-' (to) with 'monere' (to warn). It entered Middle English via Old French, carrying the sense of giving gentle, constructive counsel to keep someone on the right path.
Word relationships
- reprove: Reprove is slightly more formal and focuses on expressing disapproval of a specific fault, whereas admonish emphasizes the warning aspect.
- warn: Warn is a general term for alerting someone to danger, while admonish specifically carries a moral or behavioral correction.
- commend: Commend is to praise formally or officially, which is the direct opposite of warning or correcting.
Commonly confused with
- reprimand: An admonishment is a gentle, often private warning to prevent future errors, whereas a reprimand is a formal, official punishment for a past mistake.
Word family
- admonition (noun): A firm warning or gentle scolding.
- admonitory (adjective): Giving or conveying a warning or reprimand.
Collocations
- sternly admonish
- admonish a child
- admonish against
Example sentences
- "The elder tried to admonish the young warrior about the perils of overconfidence before the battle." A classic literary warning about the dangers of pride.
- "The commission chose to admonish the company for its minor safety lapses rather than issuing a heavy fine." An official warning from a regulatory body.
Memory hook
Think of a 'mon' (monitor) who 'ad-mon-ishes' you to stay quiet in the hallway. It is a firm but gentle warning, not a screaming match. Monitor your actions after an admonition.
When not to use
Do not use when the criticism is a furious, loud, or highly punitive attack; use 'berate' or 'castigate' instead.
Fun facts
- The root 'monere' is also the source of our words 'monitor', 'monument' (a reminder of the past), and even 'money' (from Juno Moneta, the Roman goddess whose temple housed the mint and who warned of economic crises).
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