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Admonish is the kinder, gentler synonym of re____ (to scold people harshly, as if you're slapping them with words) and up_____ (to scold people extremely harshly, as if you're yanking them upward to yell in their faces).
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"ADMONISH"
To admonish people is to urge them to do something, to warn them that they must do something, or to scold them for doing something they shouldn't have.
Pronunciation:
add MON ish
Part of speech:
Transitive verb.
(Like "eat," "try," and "want," all transitive verbs do something to an object.
You eat a banana, try a game, and want a new phone.
Likewise, you admonish someone.)
Other forms:
admonished, admonishing, admonition(s)/admonishment(s), admonitory
How to use it:
Although admonishing is a type of scolding and can certainly be harshly worded, it's often done with kindness and sincerity, because you want to help the person you're admonishing.
Talk about people admonishing other people, often to do something (or not to do something) or for doing something:
"After their half-hearted performance, Coach admonished the players."
"Coach admonished the players to put in more effort."
"Coach admonished the players not to daydream on the court."
"Coach admonished the players for missing passes and failing to guard members of the other team."
You can also admonish someone that something is true: "Coach admonished the players that slacking off was unacceptable." And you can admonish someone against doing something they shouldn't, or admonish someone of possible bad consequences.
examples:
I admonished my daughter to let the other kids have a turn on the trampoline.
The public is outraged by the criminal's three-month jail stay: it may as well have been a mere admonishment, or a slap on the wrist.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "admonish" means when you can explain it without saying "warn earnestly" or "scold constructively."
try it out:
Think of a bad habit you're trying to get rid of. Fill in the blanks: "I silently admonish myself whenever I (do a thing I'm trying to quit doing)."
Example: "I silently admonish myself whenever I start mentally planning a response instead of listening to the person speaking."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!"
This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.)
Ready? Go!
1. A hole or depression in the surface of a road is a…
2. The ability of some animals and devices to send sound signals to determine something's location is…
3. From the story about the baby dipped by his mother Thetis in the River Styx, a weak spot is an...
review today's word:
1. A close opposite of ADMONISH is
A. PRAISE
B. PICK
C. PRY
2. In a timely admonition, _____.
A. just after the nominations, the paper printed each candidate's campaign promises
B. just before the road trip, Dad reminded me to avoid getting in a hurry while driving
C. just as the storyline was getting overly tense, the intermission was announced
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. B
Answers to game questions:
1. pothole
2. echolocation
3. Achilles' heel
Admonish is the kinder, gentler synonym of re____ (to scold people harshly, as if you're slapping them with words) and up_____ (to scold people extremely harshly, as if you're yanking them upward to yell in their faces).
"ADMONISH" To admonish people is to urge them to do something, to warn them that they must do something, or to scold them for doing something they shouldn't have. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
I admonished my daughter to let the other kids have a turn on the trampoline.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "admonish" means when you can explain it without saying "warn earnestly" or "scold constructively."
Think of a bad habit you're trying to get rid of. Fill in the blanks: "I silently admonish myself whenever I (do a thing I'm trying to quit doing)."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. A close opposite of ADMONISH is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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