reproach 1 of 2

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as in disgrace
a cause of shame your public display of boorish behavior is a reproach to this entire school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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reproach

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verb

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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
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 Tiger Woods Video Explaining Scottie Scheffler's Greatness Scottie Scheffler Reveals What Separates Him From PGA Championship Field Then there is obviously a host of others that are currently above reproach. Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Verb
Bellingham reproached the Ballon d'Or favourite for being greedy, but Ancelotti only saw positives in the exchange. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 The woman eventually jumps back to the other side of the baggage conveyor belt but continued to reproach employees. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for reproach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproach
Noun
  • This is an international disgrace.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The new movie brings fan-favorite characters into the 1930s as Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is at the heart of a scandal and the Crawleys face financial troubles and social disgrace.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The impact of the story, as audio of Hind’s voice from that call went viral on social media, sparked global condemnation.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
  • That limitation was underscored this summer when the US launched air strikes on Iran, with China and Russia offering little in assistance apart from verbal condemnation of the attacks.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In more recent versions, joy is emphasized over shame.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Tens of thousands of spectators in Beijing looked on as the People’s Republic unveiled laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and giant underwater drones alongside armored vehicles, tanks, and parading soldiers whose marching prowess put the rest of the world to shame.
    Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Part 2, viewers see Morticia scold her children for lying to her, yet Morticia is keeping secrets from Wednesday about her past and family.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Family matriarch Donna Adelson was scolded by a judge Thursday for weeping in the courtroom after being convicted of orchestrating a 2014 murder-for-hire plot of her former son-in-law, a prominent Florida State University law professor.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Geier, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology, has also been reprimanded by the Maryland Board of Physicians for practicing medicine without a medical license.
    Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Plaza was later reprimanded by showrunner Michael Schur for taking the notes.
    Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Peery has been censured by a Commission of Presbytery.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The move to essentially censure Baz’s body inflamed an already contentious debate about the public scrutiny over women’s bodies.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The scandal also hands fresh ammunition to Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform Party, which is already leading in the polls.
    Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Corben’s film re-examine’s Deen’s life story, as well as the scandal that tarnished her reputation.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But that tale of someone brought into a world that treated him with cruelty and contempt never left him.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
  • He and Steve Bannon were each held in contempt of Congress and imprisoned for four months after the DOJ prosecuted them.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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