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
  • 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
  • This person has brought shame and disgrace to the badge and to an honorable profession.
    Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • At the gubernatorial debate, Spanberger repeated her condemnation of the messages but refused to retract her endorsement of Jones, saying Jones is running his own race and voters should decide what to do with the information.
    Margaret Barthel, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The new layoffs drew condemnation from a range of education organizations.
    Collin Binkley, Twin Cities, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What a shame Dennis Gimball won’t be alive to run on it.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Which is a shame, as Denver had veteran hands on-side.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Royal Dutch Medical Association scolded the psychiatrists, and prosecutors declined to act.
    Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Like an impatient parent scolding their toddler, Frankenstein grows frustrated with his monster’s limited capacity for speech.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To this end, Cucinelli urged the independent players to tap into the online commerce without betraying their identity of exclusivity and desirability, subtly reprimanding those who embraced the gray market outright.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Turnage was not disciplined or reprimanded in connection with the investigation, according to the lawsuit.
    Miami Herald, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In addition, Blain, who was elected to office last November, has been under investigation by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and has been censured twice by the council.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The debate over whether Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez should be formally censured took center stage at Tuesday’s meeting when Mayor Valerie Amezcua and councilmembers Phil Bacerra, Thai Viet Phan and David Penaloza directed city staff to conduct a formal investigation into the complaints.
    Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Philippines scandal — which CNN first revealed in 2023 — has provided a major boost to these pro-Trump figures facing defamation lawsuits.
    Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Garcia could have enriched himself by keeping his mouth shut, and the Riverside scandal may have stalled out there.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Healing means reminding myself to have self-compassion instead of contempt.
    Angela Kenzslowe, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Sparks is accused of not only failing to purge two prior contempt findings, but has since engaged in behavior resulting in an additional finding of contempt.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 21 Oct. 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!