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
as in condemnation
an often public or formal expression of disapproval
a letter of reproach was added to her dossier
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reproach
Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Keep yourself above reproach for the next week to avoid getting tarnished by association.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for reproach
Noun
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
Keep yourself above reproach for the next week to avoid getting tarnished by association.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 6 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
See All Example Sentences for reproach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproach
Noun
-
Generally regarded as being in the moderate wing of the left-leaning party, Streeting was friendly with Peter Mandelson, the once-influential Labour figure now in disgrace over his friendship with Epstein.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
-
Their head coach for qualifying, Steve McClaren, resigned immediately in disgrace, and Speid—a certified accountant who’s coached in Jamaica’s domestic league for more than a decade—took over.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Their accounts, including confrontations with far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have drawn international condemnation and diplomatic protests; Israeli prison officials dismiss the allegations as baseless as hundreds of activists are deported.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
Whose response was not condemnation, but applause!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Bryna Laub, editor of Daytime Serial Newsletter, felt the show besmirched the sanctity of soaps and contributed to the broader currents of shame surrounding the genre.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
There’s no shame in the aging game, though.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
-
Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
On Thursday Nixon was reprimanded by the House Rules and Ethics Committee for her loud protest on the House floor last month that disrupted the vote on new congressional district maps.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2026
-
If something’s not done as far as reprimanding, what will that do to him as a student?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The board censured Ervin, a member since 2006, at that meeting.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
-
The board censured Ervin, who has been a member since 2006, on April 8 after coming under criticism from across the country.—
Caitlyn Meisner,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The Spanish court said on Tuesday that Zapatero was being investigated for allegedly leading an influence-peddling and money-laundering network, in another blow to the leftist government beset by corruption scandals.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
-
If Paxton wins, his personal and professional scandals will likely be front and center of Democrat James Talarico’s efforts to flip the seat.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Paxton voters are more intense in their contempt for Cornyn than vice versa.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
The decision of the soap press to even cover the show proved contentious for the genre’s devotees, who just couldn’t fathom that publications were giving credence to a program that held the form in such contempt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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