reproach

noun

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re·proach | \ ri-ˈprōch

Definition of reproach

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an expression of rebuke or disapproval

2 : the act or action of reproaching or disapproving was beyond reproach

3a : a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace

b : discredit, disgrace

4 obsolete : one subjected to censure or scorn

reproach

verb

re·proach | \ ri-ˈprōch

reproached; reproaching; reproaches

Definition of reproach (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

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

3 : to bring into discredit

Other Words from reproach Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reproach

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Other Words from reproach

Noun

reproachful \ ri-ˈprōch-fəl

\ adjective

reproachfully \ ri-ˈprōch-fə-lē

\ adverb

reproachfulness noun

Verb

reproachable \ ri-ˈprō-chə-bəl

\ adjective

reproacher noun

reproachingly \ ri-ˈprō-chiŋ-lē

\ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for reproach

Verb

reprove, rebuke, reprimand, admonish, reproach, chide mean to criticize adversely. reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. gently reproved my table manners rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. reprimanded by the ethics committee admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. admonished by my parents to control expenses reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. reproached him for tardiness chided by their mother for untidiness

Examples of reproach in a Sentence

Noun 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 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 "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 She looked at him with reproach. Accusations and reproaches from both parties made it difficult to pursue discussions. His conduct has brought shame and reproach to his family. Verb 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 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 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 our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard she cleared her throat as a way of reproaching us for having our elbows on the table

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Chauvin spent his afternoon with his pen poised over a yellow legal pad as potential jurors alternately described police officers as above reproach and beyond salvation. — Washington Post, "Looking for a jury of Chauvin’s peers," 10 Mar. 2021 Their reputation for honesty and fairness is beyond reproach. — New York Times, "The Dispossession of André Leon Talley," 24 Feb. 2021 Thanks to the supercharger, there's also plenty of grunt away from rest, and the four-speed automatic's shift schedule and the smoothness with which shifts are accomplished seem beyond reproach. — Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, "Tested: 1995 Buick Riviera Goes beyond Bold Design," 23 Feb. 2021 Indeed, the matchless American collection of Impressionist pictures in the Art Institute of Chicago would not be immune from the same reproach. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, "In Love with the Louvre," 19 Oct. 2020 The Rams’ 23-20 loss to the winless New York Jets on Sunday was an utter humiliation for a franchise and a coach that have been largely beyond serious reproach since 2017. — Tim Bielik, cleveland, "Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks free live stream (12/27/20): How to watch, TV options, live updates, odds," 27 Dec. 2020 Just as excellence can, in certain moods, strike us as a reproach, Shirley Hazzard has a way of unnerving the unready. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, "Fiction: Moral Hazzard," 4 Dec. 2020 Medical experts say public health officials such as Birx need to lead by example, including personal conduct that’s beyond reproach. — Aamer Madhani And Brian Slodysko, chicagotribune.com, "Dr. Deborah Birx faces criticism after warning Americans to limit holiday travel, then gathering with family at her vacation home," 20 Dec. 2020 If Perdue and Loeffler lose theirs, maybe that will be the example the rest of them need to keep their stock trading above reproach. — Joe Nocera Bloomberg Opinion (tns), Star Tribune, "'Stop Trading' Act for Congress isn't stopping much trading," 7 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Parents reproach their children for failing to supply a polite answer instead of the real one. — Washington Post, "We’re constantly fooling ourselves — and that’s (mostly) okay," 26 Mar. 2021 But while aggression in women remains suspect, the public is drawn, now more than ever, to girls who reproach and rebuke, calling the world to account for its ills — and girls in turn are learning to harness that public gaze to effect larger change. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, "How Shouting, Finger-Waving Girls Became Our Conscience," 30 Sep. 2020 His oppressive trainer reproaches him for being too soft, too feminine. — David Kortava, The New Yorker, "“And Then We Danced,” A Queer Love Letter to Georgian Culture," 5 June 2020 Facing allegations of bias and the specter of regulatory action, social networks have been reluctant to reproach politicians. — Robert Hackett, Fortune, "The tweet that broke the bird’s back," 27 May 2020 Conservatives reproached it for competing with commercial companies. — Amie Tsang, New York Times, "How the Beleaguered BBC Became ‘Comfort Food’ in a Pandemic," 10 Apr. 2020 The president reproached one reporter who questioned what the purpose of the national stockpile is if not to supply states with medical equipment when asked. — Tim Pearce, Washington Examiner, "'Don't make it sound bad': Trump chides reporter for question over national stockpile," 3 Apr. 2020 And as the president widened his attacks on law enforcement, Barr publicly reproached the president, saying that Trump’s statements undermined him as well the department. — Katie Benner, BostonGlobe.com, "More than 1,000 former Justice Department lawyers and officials press for Barr to step down as attorney general," 16 Feb. 2020 Amidror called Yoni Koren, Barak’s chief of staff, and reproached him for not reporting the meeting with Emanuel. — New York Times, "The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran," 4 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reproach.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.