reprove

Reprove is a verb meaning to express disapproval of someone’s conduct or to correct them to improve behavior. It can also mean to rebuke or admonish, often in a gentle or constructive way. The term is typically transitive, as in The teacher reproved the student for cheating, and it may be followed by a brief explanation of the reason, such as for tardiness or violating the rules. The related noun reproof refers to the act or instance of expressing disapproval or a corrective rebuke.

Reprove derives from Middle English reproven, from Old French reprover, and from Latin reprobāre “to disapprove.” The prefix re- suggests opposition to approve, yielding the sense to disapprove or rebuke. The word has long appeared in religious, literary, and formal prose, though it remains common only in more traditional registers of speech and writing.

Usage and nuance: Reprove is generally milder than rebuke or reprimand. It emphasizes correction or instruction rather than punishment and can carry a tone of moral guidance. The noun reproof shares this sense and is used in similar formal contexts.

Examples: The teacher reproved the student for cheating; a mentor offered a gentle reproof for neglect. In contemporary discourse, more casual terms such as admonish, criticize, or scold are often used instead, depending on the degree of disapproval.