1
: an expression of rebuke or disapproval
2
: the act or action of reproaching or disapproving
was beyond reproach
4
obsolete
: one subjected to censure or scorn
reproached; reproaching; reproaches
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
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
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
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The likelihood of being dealt is a best-guess projection (from red as unlikely through yellow to green as likely) and the rankings are beyond reproach.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 18 June 2025
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
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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
The likelihood of being dealt is a best-guess projection (from red as unlikely through yellow to green as likely) and the rankings are beyond reproach.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 18 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
Cite this Entry
“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reproach. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reproach
2 of 2 verb
: to find fault with : blame
reproached him for his cowardice
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