reproach 1 of 2

1
as in disgrace
a cause of shame your public display of boorish behavior is a reproach to this entire school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

reproach

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reproach contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reproach are admonish, chide, rebuke, reprimand, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness
chided by their mother for untidiness

In what contexts can admonish take the place of reproach?

While the synonyms admonish and reproach are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When can rebuke be used instead of reproach?

The words rebuke and reproach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When could reprimand be used to replace reproach?

Although the words reprimand and reproach have much in common, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

Where would reprove be a reasonable alternative to reproach?

In some situations, the words reprove and reproach are roughly equivalent. However, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reproach
Noun
Felix leaves without saying a word and catches a look of reproach from Fiona’s children, who do their homework at the living-room table. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 July 2025 Harry and his friends are gleeful consumers of toys and collectibles, eagerly partaking in all the commercial opportunities offered by Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade without textual reproach. Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Verb
While some online trolls criticized the actress' appearance, other observers rushed to her defense, calling out the comments' lecherous and misogynistic overtones and reproaching the invasion of privacy represented by the photos themselves. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024 We are reproached for being too thin or too plump, for eating too little or too much. Kristina Kasparian, Longreads, 12 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for reproach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproach
Noun
  • In the spring of 1940, as Hitler took Paris, defeated France, and allowed the British troops at Dunkirk to retreat from the continent in disgrace, two more countries initiated their own nuclear programs.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Amid her disgrace, Baldwin somewhat retreated from social media and from constantly posting images of her seven children, which critics found exploitative.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The ruling prompted swift condemnation from Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who released a video promising stricter deportation laws.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.
    Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One small study published in 2018 in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry noted that phasmophobia can negatively impact sleep as well as social lives due to shame surrounding the fear.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
  • My morning is completely derailed, which is a shame.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This came after Nick Saban jokingly scolded himself for not fielding Sayin during their weeks-long overlap in 2023’s postseason at Alabama.
    Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • This way of peering at screen culture from an inexact distance, which also comes up in a scolding scene where Ethan scrolls aimlessly through something like TikTok, rankles in a play that is otherwise so precise about physical time and space.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The board voted unanimously to reprimand Bowden.
    Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
  • More than a few times in that TV role, Long booked Punk in various matches, reprimanded him for on-television actions, or set up stipulations for his matches against opponents.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But Andrew’s situation, Williams said, was different as he was censured because of his serious errors of judgment.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Blain, who was elected to the council last November, has been under investigation by the District Attorney’s Office for months and has been censured twice by the council.
    Susan Gill Vardon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The sign-stealing scandal of the Houston Astros [who beat the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series].
    Alison Weinflash, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
  • That has, reportedly, added to the general discontent from people in the know about Andrew and Fergie being allowed to stay in the property despite their numerous scandals.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Adding further controversy to the case, in 2024, Pras’ lawyer David Kenner pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of court for leaking confidential grand jury materials to Bloomberg News.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • While support for the president and contempt for the left has united conservative media for years, Gaza has been driving a wedge between two of the right’s biggest names.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reproach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!