admonish

/ədˈmɒn.ɪʃ/

Group 6Difficulty 2/3

Definitions

(verb)
To warn or reprimand someone firmly
GRE
(verb)
To advise or urge earnestly
GRE

Example in Context

The judge admonished the jury to disregard the outburst, reminding them that their verdict must rest solely on admitted evidence.

Synonyms

warnscoldcaution

Etymology

To warn someone to their face — firmly advising them.

  • ad- (Latin) — to
  • monere (Latin) — to warn

Memory Aid

😩Sounds like “add moan-ish

Imagine someone trying to ADD a moan to their song, and you ADMONISH them: 'Stop that noise!'

Visual Association

⚠️A teacher pointing sternly at a student, warning them about their behavior.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “admonish” mean on the GRE?

admonish (verb) means “To warn or reprimand someone firmly”. The judge admonished the jury to disregard the outburst, reminding them that their verdict must rest solely on admitted evidence.

How to remember “admonish” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “admonish” sounds like “add moan-ish”. Imagine someone trying to ADD a moan to their song, and you ADMONISH them: 'Stop that noise!'

What are synonyms for “admonish”?

Common synonyms: warn, scold, caution.