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
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
  • Luca Zaia, the head of the surrounding Veneto region, calls the protests a disgrace.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
  • Of course—as at any breakthrough moment, any evolutionary threshold of the psyche—you’re being swarmed by the old demons, now at extra strength: guilt, disgrace, an image of your mother scolding you.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • But his condemnation of intervention in Iran was at odds with the Trump administration whose role in the conflict has splintered the MAGA coalition, a wing of which opposes American involvement in foreign wars.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 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
  • His parents, Polish immigrants who fled German conquest and discrimination, took Indian land—and felt shame over doing so, having been uprooted themselves.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 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
  • Advertisement Rutte has also been dogged by scandal.
    Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
  • Though Fat Joe hobnobbed with some of the biggest names in politics, including then-Vice President Kamala Harris, there was at least one brush with scandal back in 2010.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Court officials reviewed YouTube footage and charged Troconis with criminal contempt of court, a misdemeanor, on the same day she was convicted of helping her boyfriend execute and cover up his wife’s murder.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
  • Most Popular Most Popular Judge finds Florida attorney general in contempt of court for flouting immigration order Judge finds Florida attorney general in contempt of court for flouting immigration order Will a new fireworks law stop mortar blasts in Orlando neighborhood?
    Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 3 Jul. 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!