What does admonish mean?
Admonish is a formal verb meaning to warn or reprimand someone firmly yet without hostility, usually over their behaviour, or to advise them earnestly to act differently. A teacher might admonish a student for missing deadlines; a judge might admonish a defendant before sentencing. What distinguishes admonishing from scolding or berating is its measured tone: it conveys serious disapproval combined with a desire to correct rather than punish. The word carries an air of authority and moral seriousness, appearing most often in legal, religious, educational, and workplace contexts, and it sounds stilted in casual conversation. It takes a direct object — one admonishes a person — often followed by 'for' plus the offence, or by an infinitive expressing the desired action. Related forms include the noun 'admonition', meaning a warning or gentle rebuke, and the adjective 'admonitory'. Derived from Latin roots shared with 'monitor', it ultimately conveys the idea of guiding someone toward better conduct through warning.
verbTo warn or reprimand someone firmly but not harshly, typically about their behaviour or a potential mistake. It can also mean to advise or urge someone earnestly to do something.
- To warn or reprimand someone firmly but mildly about their conduct.
- To advise or urge someone earnestly to do (or not do) something.
"The judge admonished the defendant to consider the consequences of his actions."
"The teacher admonished the students for talking during the exam."
"She admonished him to think carefully before resigning."
The same Latin root that gives us 'monitor' — someone who watches and warns — also gives us 'admonish': to admonish someone is literally to 'warn toward' better behaviour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of admonish
Admonish comes from the Latin verb 'admonere', formed from 'ad-' (toward) and 'monere' (to warn), the same root that yields 'monitor', 'monument', and 'premonition'. It entered English via Old French 'amonester' in the Middle English period, with the modern spelling influenced by Latin. Its sense of firm but well-meaning warning has remained remarkably stable since its earliest recorded use.
Related word forms
How admonish is actually used
Formal in register; the tone implied is firm but not angry — milder than 'rebuke' or 'berate'. Common in legal, religious, and official contexts. In law, a judge may formally admonish a defendant. The verb takes a direct object: you admonish someone, optionally followed by 'for + offence' or an infinitive clause ('admonished her to be careful').
Easily confused with admonish
'Demonish' is a rare, non-standard adjective meaning demon-like, whereas 'admonish' is a verb meaning to warn or reprimand.