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
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
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Vaccaro says the revelations about Lorch came as a shock to much of the basketball world, because from the outside, Lorch seemed beyond reproach.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
The reproach was like a punch in the gut, Spring said.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Vaccaro says the revelations about Lorch came as a shock to much of the basketball world, because from the outside, Lorch seemed beyond reproach.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 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
-
In the spring of 1940, as Hitler took Paris, defeated France, and allowed the British troops at Dunkirk to retreat from the continent in disgrace, two more countries initiated their own nuclear programs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The shooting inflamed tensions a day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, prompting protests and condemnation from state and city officials there.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Elon Musk’s xAI has restricted its AI chatbot Grok’s image generation capabilities to paying subscribers only, following widespread condemnation over its use to create non-consensual sexualized images of real women and children.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no shame in making a big, beautiful film that makes people laugh and cry and feel all the feelings that lots of people will see.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Jan. 2026
-
What a shame the NBA has allowed this to happen to handicap the Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Performers have been reprimanded for making racist, sexist and homophobic jokes during shows in the late 1990s and 2000s, according to Westword, and Stock Show officials were quick to apologize.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
His popularity in other corners was evident in an October appearance on The View, in which cohost Whoopi Goldberg had to reprimand the audience for shouting out too many supportive exclamations.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Recently, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth censured Kelly, aiming to reduce his rank and its commensurate pension.—
Michael Szalma,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, Hegseth censured Kelly, and prepared to demote Kelly, which would affect his pension.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bregman played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros, winning World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 — although the first of those yielded a sign-stealing scandal that earned Bregman and his teammates plenty of scorn.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The timeline of Elordi’s relationship with influencer Olivia Jade Giannulli (daughter of actress Lori Loughlin and designer Mossimo Giannulli, who were involved in the 2019 college admissions scandal) begins in 2021.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Every day, Trump exhibits his contempt for laws enacted by Congress — and for the Constitution itself.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Crosland also represented Troconis on contempt charges and successfully had those offenses dropped last June.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share