admonishment

Admonishment is the act of informing someone of a fault or misdeed and urging corrective behavior. It is typically intended to deter repetition rather than to punish, and it often takes a calm, clarifying tone. An admonishment may be delivered privately or publicly, depending on context, and its seriousness is generally lower than that of sanctions or punitive discipline.

In everyday use, a parent, teacher, manager, or peer may issue an admonishment to point out a specific behavior and suggest a better approach. In formal settings, an admonishment can function as a gentle disciplinary step that records concern without immediate penalties, serving as a warning that further misconduct will be addressed more sternly.

Etymology: From Latin admonitionem, from admonere "to warn, to remind"; the term emphasizes caution and urging improvement rather than condemnation.

Contrast with related terms: an admonishment differs from a rebuke or reprimand in its aim to correct and instruct rather than to shame; it is more akin to a warning designed to prevent further violations. The effectiveness depends on tone, credibility, and perceived fairness.

See also: warning, reprimand, censure, discipline.