To caution or advise against something, often with gentle disapproval or a stern reminder of one's duties or conduct.
When Mr. Lee saw his students talking during class, he paused and took a moment to admonish them. He reminded them that they needed to listen quietly and do their work so everyone could learn. The students felt the importance of what he asked them to do.
The team captain pulled the new player aside to admonish him about his role. He calmly explained that it was the player’s obligation to stay in his position on the field and trust his teammates, not to chase the ball alone. The team needed him to do his part.
The sergeant stood before the new recruits on their first day of training. She didn't yell or threaten them. Instead, she began to admonish each soldier about their responsibilities: maintaining their equipment, following orders precisely, and protecting their fellow unit members. Her calm voice made clear what was expected of them.
At every family dinner, Aunt Linda will admonish us to use napkins, chew with our mouths closed, and remember that “broccoli has feelings too.” She even tried to admonish the dog once, telling him it was his duty to use a fork like everyone else.
I had to admonish my cat, Bartholomew. His duties were to chase the red dot and look cute for visitors, not to sit on the clean laundry. He responded by staring at me blankly and then deliberately shedding on a fresh white shirt. Our meeting was not a success.
The teacher stood at the front of the classroom, ready to admonish her students for not completing their homework. She reminded them of their responsibilities as students and urged them to prioritize their studies.
The wise elder admonished the young, reminding them of their responsibilities to the tribe. He spoke of the importance of respecting their elders, caring for the sick, and working together to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
The old house stood decrepit and foreboding, its cracked windows glaring like accusing eyes in the moonlight. Inside, the air was thick with the stench of decay and the floors creaked ominously underfoot. As I cautiously made my way through the dim hallway, a voice echoed through the empty rooms, cold and chilling. It seemed to admonish me, warning me of unseen dangers lurking in the shadows. Goosebumps prickled my skin as I hurried toward the exit, desperate to escape the malevolent presence that seemed to permeate every inch of the cursed house.
"Mark my words, child," the crone wheezed, her eyes glinting with malice. "You have a duty to your family, to your ancestors. They admonish you to carry their bloodline and honor their memory. Remember the price of failure."
In the kingdom of Eldoria, the wise old wizard would often admonish the young apprentices about the importance of respecting the magical creatures that inhabited the enchanted forest. He would remind them of their duty to protect and care for all beings, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. The apprentices listened intently, knowing that it was their obligation to uphold the ancient laws of Eldoria and ensure harmony between the realms. And so, with each admonishment, they grew in wisdom and understanding, ready to embark on their own magical journeys and fulfill their destinies as protectors of the realm.
When new employees arrive, the manager always takes time to admonish them about their expected responsibilities. She walks them through each duty, making sure they understand what the job requires. Her careful instructions help everyone know exactly what they are supposed to do.
Before leaving, the father felt he had to admonish his eldest son. He spoke quietly about the boy's commitment to his younger siblings, a serious promise he had made. Their mother would need his full support and cooperation while he was away.
The new supervisor gathered the team on their first day, taking time to admonish each member about their specific responsibilities. She explained that the morning shift must complete inventory checks, while the afternoon crew needed to handle customer complaints. Everyone left the meeting understanding exactly what was expected of them going forward.
Each morning, Grandma would admonish Hector to brush his teeth and wear matching socks, insisting that civilized society depended upon these twin pillars of hygiene and fashion. Hector suspected world peace hinged less on sock coordination, yet Grandma’s unwavering sense of duty was stronger than his skepticism—and possibly his breath.
Before leaving for work, I felt it my duty to admonish Bartholomew the hamster on his solemn obligations. His primary chores included rigorous wheel-exercising and diligent seed-pouching, but most crucial was his obligation to remain overwhelmingly fluffy for the sake of household morale. He just stared blankly.
When the supervisor gathered the new employees, she took time to admonish them about punctuality and collaboration. Her firm tone left no ambiguity: each person was responsible for ensuring the project’s success, and shirking any assigned task would hinder the entire team’s progress.
During the final handover, the departing director felt compelled to admonish his successor. He meticulously delineated the core responsibilities of the role, stating that the team's continued professional development was now his preeminent obligation.
The sergeant stood before the new recruits, ready to admonish them about their responsibilities during night watch. Each soldier needed to understand the gravity of staying alert, the necessity of reporting suspicious activity, and the fundamental obligation to protect their sleeping comrades. Lives depended on their vigilance.
At the annual squirrel council, Elder Nutters would sternly admonish the younger rodents, reminding them of their solemn duties to hoard acorns with fanatical diligence rather than binge-watch sunbathing pigeons, lest winter find them shivering and snackless, further embarrassing their already scandal-prone burrow in the process.
With ponderous gravity, Sir Reginald would often admonish his obstreperous toaster regarding its principal obligation: producing perfectly bronzed bread. It was a duty the perfidious appliance consistently shirked, offering only carbonized facsimiles instead of its glorious, intended output.
Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.