谴
reprimand; demote official
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesverb
to reprimand; to rebuke; to scold
formalUsed for formal or serious criticism of someone's mistakes or faults.
The teacher reprimands all forms of cheating.
He was reprimanded by his superiors for work mistakes.
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Facing public rebuke, he finally bowed his head and admitted his mistake.
He rebuked himself for his faults and resolved to correct his mistakes.
Public opinion widely condemns this unethical behavior.
verb
to demote an official; to exile for a crime
archaicThis is an archaic formal usage, rarely used in modern daily language.
Ancient officials were often demoted or exiled for speaking their minds frankly.
He was demoted to a post in the frontier region for offending powerful officials.
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The demoted poet wrote many works about missing his hometown.
Many scholars in history were exiled due to literary inquisitions.
This demotion system was particularly harsh during the Ming and Qing dynasties.