1
as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in admonished
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 censured
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
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Recent Examples of reproached
Jean’s mama reproached her for not having been more careful and babied Wole, ordering him to remove his T-shirt and retrieving an aloe lotion, telling him to stretch out on the couch and instructing Jean to spread it over the tender areas.
—
David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 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
David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproached
Verb
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The child, now 6 years old, only hears her full name when she's being scolded — though Kendra and Bill are currently trying to undo that pattern.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
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Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Verb
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At one point, Crabtree admonished them to stop talking over each other.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
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When news of Israel’s secret outposts in Iraq’s desert emerged, Iraqis admonished their leaders as traitors, and the boisterous militiamen affiliated with the government as impostors for allowing their land to be colonized by an enemy.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
26 May 2026
Verb
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The board censured Ervin, a member since 2006, at that meeting.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Sharon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Member of the UK Association of Jungian Analysts, and has taught and lectured at many academic institutions, Jungian organisations, retreat centres and cultural festivals around the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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It was also being lectured by people who presented a formulaic perspective on a complicated future that the class of 2026 is already navigating.—
Ann Kirschner,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The employee has been reprimanded.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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Yeboah was being reprimanded for an incident in Wednesday’s training session, but the exact circumstances are not yet known.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Three days ago, the Arnoun Municipality denounced Israeli bombing in the area and urged international organizations to protect the castle, NNA reported.—
Kareem El Damanhoury,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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That document, which waded into the political and economic debates of the time, denounced the excesses of the Gilded Age and pointed toward a more just social order.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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One of the most notable examples came when former MVP James Harden publicly criticized then-Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey after Morey's support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong triggered a backlash from Chinese officials and business partners.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Trump harshly criticized Powell throughout his tenure as chair, frequently attacking the Fed’s interest-rate decisions and urging the central bank to cut borrowing costs more aggressively.—
Leah Willingham,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Eighty percent of voters cited corporate profits as a top driver of high drug prices, and 73% blamed executive compensation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
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Trump has blamed his predecessor for many of the nation’s immigration problems.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reproached.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproached. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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