reprove

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Origin: F. réprouver, OF. reprover, fr. L. reprobare. See Reprieve, Reprobate, and cf. Reproof.

1. To convince. obsolete

When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.— John xvi. 9.

2. To disprove; to refute. obsolete

Reprove my allegation, if you can.— William Shakespeare

3. To chide to the face as blameworthy; to accuse as guilty; to censure.

What if thy son

Prove disobedient, and, reproved, retort, “Wherefore didst thou beget me?”— John Milton

4. To express disapprobation of; as, to reprove faults.

He neither reproved the ordinance of John, neither plainly condemned the fastings of the other men.— Nicholas Udall

Synonyms: To reprehend; chide; rebuke; scold; blame censure. — Reprove, Rebuke, Reprimand. These words all signufy the expression of disapprobation. To reprove implies greater calmness and self-possession. To rebuke implies a more excited and personal feeling. A reproof may be administered long after the offience is committed, and is usually intended for the reformation of the offender; a rebuke is commonly given at the moment of the wrong, and is administered by way of punishment and condemnation. A reprimand proceeds from a person invested with authority, and is a formal and offiscial act. A child is reproved for his faults, and rebuked for his impudence. A military officer is reprimanded for neglect or violation of duty.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54