reproach 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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reproach

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verb

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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
Their conduct must always be above reproach, as the Canons of Judicial Ethics require. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2025 Samira earns praise from patients and reproach from Robby. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Year after year, my parents reproached me on the way to and from parent-teacher conferences. Zameena Mejia, refinery29.com, 22 July 2024 After exiting a coffee shop in Tampa, the first lady stopped to reproach a group of reporters questioning her about Joe Biden’s candidacy. Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for reproach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproach
Noun
  • Deemed dangerous to national security by MI5, Mosley and his wife spent three years interned in prison before moving abroad in disgrace.
    Rosemary Counter, Time, 25 June 2025
  • Cuomo launched his campaign in March, four years after resigning as New York's governor in disgrace.
    Kyler Alvord, People.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Winning would cap a startling resurrection for Cuomo, a three-term governor who resigned in 2021 amid condemnation for scandals.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 25 June 2025
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested two women on Tuesday outside a West L.A. courthouse after a hearing in a local criminal case, marking the first instance in recent weeks of the Trump administration using a tactic that has drawn condemnation from the legal community.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Their cruelty is wielded without shame or restraint.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
  • Which is a shame, because there are alternatives to demolition, including one on display just a few blocks away.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Paul Krugman has referred to deficit hawks as ‘deficit scolds’, because the spend more time warning about the dangers of the deficit than fixing it.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Musk and Gor reportedly clashed in Cabinet meetings where Musk scolded Gor over personnel disagreements in recent months.
    Ally Goelz, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • That brief timeline likely means that Combs — who has been reprimanded by Judge Arun Subramanian for nodding at jurors while his defense attorneys cross-examine government witnesses — will not take the stand.
    Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 24 June 2025
  • But Pitt later said in an interview with GQ in 2024 that Alcoholics Anonymous reprimanded him for talking about his experience with the group publicly.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Two days later, the House approved a resolution to censure Green in a contentious 224-198 vote that progressed into a shouting match between lawmakers.
    Mackenzie Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2025
  • The day before, on Thursday, in Vienna the 35-nation Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency ruled that Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and censured the Islamic Republic.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • In 2019, Kansas announced an extension of its adidas contract through 2031 even though the school and company were embroiled in the college basketball FBI scandal that saw a former adidas executive agree to pay nearly $350,000 to Kansas.
    Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • But with Victoria’s Secret, Super inherited a beleaguered brand stained by upheaval and scandal.
    Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Violating the terms of a gang injunction could land someone in contempt of court, a misdemeanor that carries up to a six-month sentence.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 24 June 2025
  • And to date, the Republican majority, which has subpoena power, which has the ability to move bills to the floor, which has the ability to hold administration officials in contempt, has shown precisely zero interest in doing that.
    Michel Martin, NPR, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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