noun

admonition

ad-muh-NISH-uhn/ˌædməˈnɪʃn/

A firm warning or advice meant to correct someone's behavior.

His mother's admonition keeps him from touching the hot pan.

A parent gives earnest caution beside a hot cooking pot, adult listener attentive, raised warning hand and steam but no text.

Etymology

adLatinprobably repeated action

+monitLatinremind, warn, advise

+ionLatinact or process

The monere root connects admonition with reminding; ad- probably marks repeated action. The noun’s earlier sense of ‘reminding’ developed into a caution about future conduct based on past failures.

In context

NPPBC26:40

nurture and admonition of the Lord to teach what's right and what's wrong in the house

A Mother’s Nurture & Admonition (05-12-2024 AM)

More examples

The coach's admonition against careless tackles echoed after the match.
She ignores repeated admonitions to check her sources.
A gentle admonition is enough to stop the whispering.

Forms

admonition · admonitions

admonish verb — To speak firmly about proper conduct.

Similar words

warning: Can announce danger without correcting someone's behavior.
rebuke: Emphasizes disapproval more than advice about what to do next.