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
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 Whatever happens, though, his goalscoring prowess is beyond reproach. Rob Tanner, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
Year after year, my parents reproached me on the way to and from parent-teacher conferences. Zameena Mejia, refinery29.com, 22 July 2024 After exiting a coffee shop in Tampa, the first lady stopped to reproach a group of reporters questioning her about Joe Biden’s candidacy. Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for reproach
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproach
Noun
  • Cohn died a disgrace, disbarred by the New York State Bar for unethical conduct after attempting to defraud a dying client by forcing him to sign a will amendment leaving Cohn his fortune.
    Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
  • Smyth, the longtime priest who was then the executive director, resigned in disgrace.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The school, which is not affiliated with Lincoln County Schools, prompted community outrage and public condemnation from school leaders.
    Evan Moore August 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Trump's decision to deploy the military drew sharp condemnation from Democrats across the country, who said the move raises civil-liberties concerns at a time when crime in D.C. is dropping.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Parrilla has the more complex role; Bruiser is unprincipled and lacking in shame, yet generally correct and fair.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance Airports usually have accessibility services that are readily available, and for senior travelers, there should be no shame in taking advantage of them.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • At dinner, while the new wife served beef Stroganoff or lemon Jell-O with mandarin oranges, my father would scold me about my new friends and my falling grades.
    Richard Siken August 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
  • Joelle Gwynn, a competitor on Season 7, still harbors anger for the way Harper scolded her during a workout.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Corrections Department disciplinary records reveal two park rangers were reprimanded for various offenses, including lying about attendance, sleeping on the job and unprofessional behavior.
    Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • As the task force scouted out the scene, Blythe (Eric Dane) repeatedly reprimanded Meachum (Jensen Ackles) for getting too close to the potentially explosive truck — which happened to interrupt Mark telling his SAC about his tumor.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • The inscriptions also reference El, a deity associated with the Abrahamic God, while censuring the ancient pagan goddess Ba`alat.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Washington’s partners in Europe stepped up during the Biden administration and, in the face of American reluctance, advocated for the IAEA to censure Tehran for not cooperating with the agency’s inspections and refusing to answer questions about its nuclear work.
    Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The journalist, now 88, has been publishing exposés for over six decades – on Vietnam, the Abu Ghraib scandal during the Iraq War, on corporate America, CIA espionage on American citizens, on Watergate.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
  • By then, details of another related scandal had already been made public, involving Antioch officers who shared racist, sexist and homophobic communications in text groups.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • He was found to be in contempt of court for failing to comply with that judgement in January.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 1 Sep. 2025
  • This then brings us to the individual contempt orders for each defendant.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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