admonition

IPA/ˌædməˈnɪʃn/
KK[ˌædmənˈɪʃən]IPA/ˌædməˈnɪʃn/

admonition — noun

  • admonitionsingular
  • admonitionsplural

1. serious advice that warns someone to stop acting badly or to behave more careful

1.nounC1
Definition

serious advice that warns someone to stop acting badly or to behave more carefully

Example

The coach's admonition about lazy passing made the team train harder.

pattern: admonition about + -ing

Before camp, Harper's mother gave one admonition about leaving food outside.

Common collocations
  • issue an admonition
  • parental admonition
  • admonition about safety
  • admonition to be careful
Synonyms
  • warning

    broader and more common, often about danger rather than behaviour

  • caution

    milder and less moral in tone

  • counsel

    formal and advisory, with less direct blame

Antonyms
  • approval

    shows acceptance instead of telling someone to change

  • encouragement

    supports a person rather than warning them

Grammar Patterns

admonition about + -ing

admonition to + infinitive

give an admonition

Usage Note

Often followed by about when naming the behaviour, or by to + infinitive when naming the advised action. It is more formal and more moral in tone than warning.

Common Mistakes

The memo gave workers an admonition for wear helmets.
The memo gave workers an admonition to wear helmets.
Use to + infinitive when the noun names the action someone should take.

2. words that formally show strong disapproval of what someone has done

2.nounC1
Definition

words that formally show strong disapproval of what someone has done

Example

The judge's brief admonition silenced the laughing men in the back row.

collocation: brief admonition

After the prank, Adaeze received an admonition from the school board.

pattern: receive an admonition from

Common collocations
  • stern admonition
  • written admonition
  • receive an admonition
  • official admonition
Synonyms
  • rebuke

    stronger and often sharper in tone

  • reprimand

    formal and often linked to official discipline

  • scolding

    more everyday and often more emotional

Antonyms
  • praise

    shows approval instead of criticism

  • commendation

    formal approval for something done well

Grammar Patterns

receive an admonition

admonition from + person

written admonition

Usage Note

This sense names the criticism itself, often with from when the speaker is mentioned. It is stronger and more blame-focused than sense 1, which still includes advice about future behaviour.

Common Mistakes

She got an admonition about the storm.
She got a warning about the storm.
This sense criticizes behaviour; notices about outside danger are usually warnings.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A warning is the broad everyday word for telling people about danger or trouble. A caution is usually milder and often appears on signs or in instructions. An admonition is more formal and often carries the idea that someone's behaviour should improve. A rebuke goes further: it is mainly criticism, not advice. Because of that difference, a parent may give a child an admonition about speaking rudely, while a police officer may issue a warning about icy roads. If the main point is blame, rebuke fits better. If the main point is careful future behaviour, admonition is the better formal choice.

admonition ↗warning ↗caution ↗rebuke

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Admonition came into English through French and Latin sources connected with admonish. Its deeper root is Latin admonere, meaning to remind, warn, or advise. English kept both ideas: warning someone and speaking to them with serious correction.