Rebuke: meaning and SAT practice

Rebuke (verb) means: To express disapproval or criticism of someone sharply.

Rebuke in a sentence

The teacher rebuked the student for arriving late repeatedly.

Similar: scold, reprimand, chastise, censure, admonish. Opposite: praise, commend, applaud.

SAT-style practice: what does “rebuke” most nearly mean?

The teacher rebuked the student for arriving late repeatedly.

As used in the sentence, “rebuke” most nearly means

  1. exceed
  2. scold
  3. renounce
  4. decline
Show the answer

Answer: B. “rebuke” means: To express disapproval or criticism of someone sharply. “scold” is the closest match in this sentence. The other choices are real SAT-level words, but none of them carries that meaning here.

On the digital SAT this is the “Words in Context” skill, about 7 of the 54 Reading and Writing questions. The test asks what a word means as used in the passage, so a word’s most common meaning is not always the answer. More of these, with full explanations, are on SAT Words in Context practice questions.

  • admonish: To warn or scold someone firmly but not harshly.
  • animadversion: A critical remark or expression of disapproval about someone or something.
  • censure: To express severe disapproval or criticism of someone.
  • chide: Scold or reprimand someone for doing something wrong.
  • excoriate: To severely criticize or harshly condemn someone or something.
  • lambaste: To criticize someone harshly and publicly for their actions.

← quell · All 701 SAT words · recalcitrant →

Want to know which SAT skills you are actually missing? Take the free diagnostic. No account needed to start.