2 syllables: Re, buke. Stress on buke.
ree-BYOOK
/ɹiˈbjuk/
Rebuke is pronounced ree-BYOOK (/ɹiˈbjuk/). It has two syllables (Re-buke), with the stress on "buke". Rebuke (noun) refers to an expression of strong disapproval or reprimand. It denotes a firm critique aimed at correcting behavior. In use, it often conveys authority or moral stance, and can function as a formal or severe admonition depending on context.
nounRebuke (noun) refers to an expression of strong disapproval or reprimand. It denotes a firm critique aimed at correcting behavior. In use, it often conveys authority or moral stance, and can function as a formal or severe admonition depending on context.
How to Pronounce Rebuke
"The manager delivered a firm rebuke after the safety violation."
"Her rebuke was short but pointed, leaving no room for excuses."
"A gentle rebuke can be effective when delivered privately."
Pronounce as /rɪˈbjuːk/. The first syllable is unstressed: /rɪ/, sounding like “ri” as in 'rid'. The second syllable carries primary stress: /ˈbjuːk/ with /b/ followed by /j/ (the 'y' sound) and a long /uː/ as in 'you', culminating in /k/. Tip: keep the /bj/ cluster tight, and finish with a crisp /k/ release. Audio reference: consistent with standard dictionaries; try listening to native speakers saying 'rebuke' in sentences available on major pronunciation resources.
Common errors: (1) Slurring the /bj/ into /b/ or /j/ separately, producing /rɪˈbjuːk/ to /rɪˈbuːk/ or /rɪˈbjuːk/ with vowel reduction. Correction: keep the /b/ and /j/ tightly linked as /bj/; ensure you don’t turn /juː/ into /ju/ or /uː/. (2) Misplacing the stress, saying /rɪˈbjuːk/ or /ˈrɪbjuːk/—stress should be on the second syllable /ˈbjuːk/. (3) Final /k/ is devoiced; avoid adding extra vowel after /k/. Practice by saying: ri-BYUK with a crisp k. Use minimal pair drills with close-sounding words to anchor the sequence.
Across US/UK/AU, the core /rɪˈbjuːk/ remains similar, but rhoticity shapes the initial /r/ quality. US/AU tend toward a more pronounced rhotic /ɹ/; UK often has a slightly more centralized or lighter /r/ depending on speaker, with smoother /juː/ transition. The /juː/ vowel tends to be a long, rounded high-front vowel; in some UK dialects you may hear a more vowel-like glide /j/ less pronounced, yielding /rɪˈbjuːk/ with subtle differences in vowel length and quality. Overall differences are modest; the critical element—stress on 'bjuːk'—persists.
The difficulty centers on the /bj/ consonant cluster and the /juː/ glide. Many learners split /bj/ into /b/ and /j/ too separately, producing /rɪˈbjuːk/ with mis-timed consonants or shorten /juː/ to /uː/. The key challenge is maintaining the tight /bj/ linkage while delivering a clean /k/ at the end; the liquid-like flow between /b/ and /j/ and the long /uː/ vowel can be tricky, especially when trying to say the word quickly in connected speech.
There is no silent letter in 'rebuke'. All letters are pronounced: r, e, b, u, k, e. The key is the vowel sound in the second syllable: /ɪ/ in the first, and /juː/ in the stressed second syllable. The final /e/ is not silent per se; it contributes to the vowel quality of /juː/ rather than being a separate silent marker. Practice focusing on the transition from /b/ to /j/ and then to /k/ while voicing the final /k/ crisply.
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Rebuke comes from the Middle English rebuke or rebuyk, from Old French rebucher ‘to rebuke, blame severely,’ from rebucher ‘to beat back, beat down,’ from re- ‘again’ + buque ‘box, trunk’ (perhaps via an idea of striking or pushing back). The term entered English in the 14th–15th centuries, originally carrying a sense of striking down or rebuking someone verbally in a punitive or corrective way. Over time, it shifted from physical metaphor to a generalized formal reproach or scolding. The modern meaning centers on verbal disapproval or admonition, retaining the sense of asserting social or moral boundaries. The word has retained its core punitive connotation across varieties of English, though in some contexts it can be softened to a constructive admonishment rather than a punitive outburst. Its usage spans legal, literary, and everyday discourse, often in roles of authority, ethics, or leadership.” ,
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Rebuke" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Rebuke"
-uke sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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