Synonyms of reproach

reproach 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈprōch 

1

as in disgrace

a cause of shame

your public display of boorish behavior is a reproach to this entire school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgrace
• scandal
• reflection
• stain
• dishonor
• opprobrium
• stigma
• taint
• blot
• slur
• smirch
• brand
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• credit
• honor
• pride
• glory
• treasure
• boast
• jewel

2

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval

a letter of reproach was added to her dossier

Synonyms & Similar Words

• condemnation
• reprimand
• censure
• rebuke
• reproof
• denunciation
• criticism
• punishment
• excoriation
• stricture
• commination
• riot act
• lecture
• chastisement
• castigation
• remonstrance
• admonishment
• damnation
• admonition
• objurgation
• lesson
• scolding
• disparagement
• lash
• depreciation
• talking-to
• pan
• tongue-lashing
• belittlement
• deprecation
• rap
• dressing-down
• devil
• business

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commendation
• endorsement
• citation
• tribute
• honor
• praise
• acclamation
• approval
• encomium
• panegyric
• sanction
• eulogy
• blessing
• plaudit(s)

3

as in shame

the state of having lost the esteem of others

nothing the traitor did in later life lessened the reproach in which he was universally held

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shame
• disgrace
• contempt
• ignominy
• humiliation
• dishonor
• disrepute
• odium
• disdain
• obloquy
• infamy
• discredit
• stigma
• opprobrium
• disesteem
• scorn
• taint
• scandal
• disapproval
• stain
• disapprobation
• despite
• abasement
• dust
• degradation
• debasement
• blot
• deprecation
• slur
• brand
• disfavor
• debasing
• shadow
• smirch
• humbling
• spot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• esteem
• honor
• regard
• fear
• admiration
• estimation
• appreciation
• reverence
• glory
• fame
• awe
• repute
• renown

reproach

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈprōch 

1

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scold
• reprimand
• lecture
• blame
• criticize
• upbraid
• rebuke
• berate
• chastise
• rag
• call down
• admonish
• castigate
• jaw
• rail (at or against)
• flay
• fault
• lay into
• chew out
• rant (at)
• dress down
• bawl out
• ream (out)
• attack
• mock
• lambaste
• rate
• baste
• read the riot act (to)
• keelhaul
• chide
• score
• censure
• hammer
• reprove
• tongue-lash
• take to task
• condemn
• ridicule
• revile
• remonstrate (with)
• lash
• scorn
• reprehend
• denounce
• crucify
• assail
• disparage
• knock
• scourge
• belittle
• pan
• excoriate
• harangue
• vituperate
• slam
• abuse
• scoff
• blast
• bad-mouth
• lace (into)
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• sanction
• endorse
• praise
• extol
• laud

2

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault

she cleared her throat as a way of reproaching us for having our elbows on the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reprimand
• admonish
• scold
• blame
• criticize
• chide
• rebuke
• reprove
• fault
• get on
• get after
• tick off
• censure
• upbraid
• mock
• condemn
• berate
• ridicule
• castigate
• jaw
• lecture
• rail (at or against)
• reprehend
• minimize
• scorn
• burn one's ears
• flay
• attack
• chew out
• harangue
• lash
• crucify
• assail
• dress down
• denounce
• knock
• disparage
• belittle
• pan
• excoriate
• lambaste
• deride
• keelhaul
• rate
• scoff
• deprecate
• bad-mouth
• score
• abuse
• slam
• blast
• dis
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• sanction
• endorse
• OK
• praise
• salute
• applaud
• hail
• extol
• laud
• tout

3

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of

the governor reproached the legislature for failing to pass the budget on time and once again throwing the state into fiscal chaos

Synonyms & Similar Words

• censure
• reprimand
• condemn
• denounce
• punish
• scold
• criticize
• rebuke
• reprove
• admonish
• call to account
• bring to account
• objurgate
• chastise
• upbraid
• castigate
• rag
• berate
• jaw
• disparage
• rail (at or against)
• cut up
• belittle
• lecture
• flay
• deprecate
• gibbet
• tell off
• chew out
• depreciate
• dress down
• rate
• keelhaul
• bawl out
• score
• lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• endorse
• honor
• cite
• applaud
• hail
• praise
• approve
• sanction
• acclaim
• bless
• laud
• eulogize

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

Recent Examples of reproach

Noun

Meanwhile, the rest of America’s wealthy Epstein cabal continue to float above reproach, and reckoning. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

The maximalism and somewhat uncompromising presumption of a newspaper, with its warren of sections and columns and byways, is a quiet reproach to its audience’s most parochial instincts. —Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026

Verb

Michelle exists on a level that is invulnerable to reproach, termination, or cancellation. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025

During her tenure, she was openly critiqued for her lack of political knowledge and reproached for her Christian-fundamentalist views on evolution. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025