Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Reprove \Re*prove"\ (r?-pr??v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reproved (-pr??vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Reproving.] [F. r['e]prouver, OF. reprover, fr. L. reprobare. See Reprieve, Reprobate, and cf. Reproof.]
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To convince. [Obs.]
When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
--John xvi. 9. -
To disprove; to refute. [Obs.]
Reprove my allegation, if you can.
--Shak. -
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?''
--Milton. -
To express disapprobation of; as, to reprove faults.
He neither reproved the ordinance of John, neither plainly condemned the fastings of the other men.
--Udall.Syn: To reprehend; chide; rebuke; scold; blame censure.
Usage: 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.
Wiktionary
Expressing reproof; reproachful or admonishing. n. The act of giving a reproof. v
(present participle of reprove English)
WordNet
adj. expressing reproof or reproach especially as a corrective [syn: admonitory, admonishing, reproachful]
Usage examples of "reproving".
Dale has been reproving Horace for idleness and I recommend you to enlist him to do duty, while I relieve him here.
Having taken rather too long to arrange his coat over the back of the chair she had positioned for him, he sat down, hugged the zipped folder close to his body like a shield, and fixed her with a reproving gaze.
Whereat his wife taking present audacity, and reproving his sayings, with a cursed minde did deny it.
Looking at him, Dulchase burst out laughing and received a reproving glance from the serious-minded novitiate.
But only the shadow of their former power of vexing her remained, now that they could no longer appeal to Sir Timothy to join them in reproving his wife.
With a shocked, reproving glance at the Loremaster, he turned his attention to the horse.
Claire said to James, giving Hugh a reproving look as she pulled the cloak more closely about herself.
Seated opposite the pair of them, the older woman, looking neat as a pin in a soft gray gown with matching bonnet, fixed Beth with a reproving stare.