What does it mean to "rebuke" someone?

To "rebuke" someone means to scold or reprimand them, often for their behavior or actions. This term conveys a sense of disapproval, where one individual expresses disappointment or criticism towards another. The context in which this word is used typically involves a corrective aspect, indicating that the person being rebuked has done something inappropriate or wrong, and the rebuke serves as a means of addressing and hopefully correcting that behavior.

Understanding the nuances of the word can reveal its gravity; a rebuke may be stern or harsh, and it often aims to invoke reflection or change in the individual receiving it. In contrast, the other choices like encouraging, praising, or ignoring have very different connotations and would not accurately reflect the meaning of rebuke. Encouragement and praise convey positive reinforcement, while ignoring indicates a lack of response or acknowledgment altogether.