reproach

¹re·proach

noun \ri-ˈprōch\

Definition of REPROACH

1

: an expression of rebuke or disapproval

2

: the act or action of reproaching or disapproving <was beyond reproach>

3

a : a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace

b : discredit, disgrace

4

obsolete : one subjected to censure or scorn

— re·proach·ful \-fəl\ adjective

— re·proach·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— re·proach·ful·ness noun

Examples of REPROACH

1. She looked at him with reproach.
2. Accusations and reproaches from both parties made it difficult to pursue discussions.
3. His conduct has brought shame and reproach to his family.
4. A bug in the logic of a design, though discovered and fixed in the lab, stands as a slight reproach to the designer. —Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, 1981
5. Yes, he told them, when he came, it was quite true that they would have to pay interest. And then Teta Elzbieta broke forth into protestations and reproaches, so that the people outside stopped and peered in at the window. —Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, 1906
6. “He's the finest boy in England,” the father said in a tone of reproach to her, “and you don't seem to care for him, Becky, as much as you do for your spaniel. …” —William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1847

Origin of REPROACH

Middle English reproche, from Anglo-French, from reprocher to reproach, from Vulgar Latin *repropiare to bring close, show, from Latin re- + prope near — more at approach

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REPROACH

Synonyms

dishonor, opprobrium, reflection, disgrace, scandal

Antonyms

credit, honor

Related Words

blot, brand, slur, smirch, spot, stain, stigma, taint

Near Antonyms

boast, glory, jewel, pride, treasure

Rhymes with REPROACH

abroach, approach, caroche, cockroach, encroach, stagecoach

²re·proach

transitive verb \ri-ˈprōch\

Definition of REPROACH

1

: to express disappointment in or displeasure with (a person) for conduct that is blameworthy or in need of amendment

2

: to make (something) a matter of reproach (see ¹reproach)

3

: to bring into discredit

— re·proach·able \-ˈprō-chə-bəl\ adjective

— re·proach·er noun

— re·proach·ing·ly \-ˈprō-chiŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of REPROACH

1. <our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard>
2. <she cleared her throat as a way of reproaching us for having our elbows on the table>
3. Parents and teachers gaped at the young writers, uncertain whether to reproach or praise these young adults for their language in writing about decidedly adult issues. —Tobi Jacobi, English Journal, March 2007
4. For years I fretted over these questions and reproached myself for not having taken that diary when it was offered to me in 1945. —John Hope Franklin, Race and History, 1989
5. She did not reproach herself with her failure; but she would have been happier if there had been less discrepancy between her words to Sophy Viner and the act which had followed them. —Edith Wharton, The Reef, 1912

Origin of REPROACH

(see ¹reproach)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REPROACH

Synonyms

baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, scold, score, tongue-lash, upbraid

Antonyms

cite, commend, endorse (also indorse)

Related Words

admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove; abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (also diss) [slang], excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate; belittle, disparage, mock, put down; ridicule, scoff, scorn

Near Antonyms

approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; extol (also extoll), laud, praise

See Synonym Discussion at reprove