as in guilt
a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing
he was filled with self-reproach for causing the accident
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Recent Examples of self-reproach
The self-reproaches are reproaches against a loved object which have been shifted away from it on to the patient’s ego.
—
Gary Greenberg, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
That guilt can deepen the cycle, turning what started as self-care into self-reproach.
—Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025
Orsolya is apparently wracked with feelings of complicity, though the film, which is made up mainly of extended shots of her conversations with other people, questions the sincerity of her self-reproach against a backdrop of ethnic tension and neoliberal sprawl in Romania.
—Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Amanda’s self-reproach expresses a depressed national mood.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024
Jihan was overtaken by bitterness and self-reproach.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Photo: andrew caballero-reynolds/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Festivus has its airing of grievances and the 2024 Democratic National Convention in August may feature the wailing of self-reproach.
—James Freeman, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023
One of the many poignant aspects of Nick’s early death is that his friends have carried a lifelong sense of regret and even self-reproach.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2023
For an artist, self-reproach and self-aggrandizement can be two faces of the same mirror.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2023
Gary Greenberg, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
That guilt can deepen the cycle, turning what started as self-care into self-reproach.
—Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025
Orsolya is apparently wracked with feelings of complicity, though the film, which is made up mainly of extended shots of her conversations with other people, questions the sincerity of her self-reproach against a backdrop of ethnic tension and neoliberal sprawl in Romania.
—Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Amanda’s self-reproach expresses a depressed national mood.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024
Jihan was overtaken by bitterness and self-reproach.
—Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Photo: andrew caballero-reynolds/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Festivus has its airing of grievances and the 2024 Democratic National Convention in August may feature the wailing of self-reproach.
—James Freeman, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023
One of the many poignant aspects of Nick’s early death is that his friends have carried a lifelong sense of regret and even self-reproach.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2023
For an artist, self-reproach and self-aggrandizement can be two faces of the same mirror.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-reproach
Noun
-
But as elusive perp CW was never found, the internet continues to hound her, with conspiracy theorists’ assumption of guilt only getting refreshed when a couple podcasters lure Madison into an interview that dredges up all the old Amanda Knox-like accusations.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The Judgement card suggests a reckoning, a powerful wake-up call to rise into your purpose and release guilt, regret, or self-doubt.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Milton's attorney cited alcohol addiction as a factor, but the judge found a lack of remorse and sentenced him to prison.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Before the sentencing, prosecutors and loved ones of both Chambers Cruz and Katz debated the defendant’s level of remorse.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the decades since, Reid maintained had no regrets about saying no to the opportunity.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Many viewers, like Locke, expressed regret over their own tattoos.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Self-reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-reproach. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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