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
Samira earns praise from patients and reproach from Robby. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 To such people, Hood shows viscerally how the idea of the perfect victim, beyond reproach or doubt, is a fantasy. Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 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
  • It’s been a long time since Florida’s university system was put to such disgrace as the Board of Governors did Tuesday in rejecting the distinguished scholar Santa Ono as the lone finalist for president of the University of Florida.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • For decades, both Republican and Democratic administrations agreed ‒ at least for immigrants from Vietnam, a country the United States left in disgrace five decades years ago.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • There has been widespread international condemnation, particularly from the UN.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • Musk and his team have swept through the government in recent months, slashing federal contracts and cutting staff — drawing applause from Trump allies and condemnation from opponents.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • That means having the courage to say what needs to be said—without blame, without shame and always with the intention to help.
    Jaide Massin, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • But when the nights are long and your world has shattered, just having something to talk to without shame or fear, can be the difference between falling apart and holding on.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • At another meeting in May 2024, Grippo scolded female employees for not working hard enough, although the team was high-performing and employees worked long hours, the lawsuit said.
    Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
  • In January at the annual World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump scolded Brian Moynihan, the CEO of Bank of America.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • What follows is a series of painful-to-watch confrontations between the two, in which Ace reprimands Amaya for normal human behavior, like expecting the guy who chose her to show some romantic interest, in the low, measured tone of a psychopath.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 June 2025
  • Manford was reprimanded for the incident; a male coworker who had done something similar a month before faced no repercussions, according to court documents.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Iran, meanwhile, will likely face censure this week from the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency over longstanding questions about its program.
    Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
  • He was formally censured by the Senate in December 1954 for abusing his committee powers, effectively ending his political influence.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Published on June 5 in the journal Criminal Law Forum, the investigation draws on direct archival evidence from Cambridge University that is helping fill in the gaps to a high-profile true crime scandal that would make headlines even today.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
  • But thanks to Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo, every week there’s a headline uncovering a new scandal.
    Brad Lander, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • What to do instead Gottman’s antidote for contempt is to co-create a culture of fondness and appreciation.
    Kelley J. Brower, CNBC, 5 June 2025
  • Additionally, Garcia filed a motion Wednesday morning in Jackson County Circuit Court asking a judge to find Abarca in contempt of court for allegedly violating the conditions of the protective order.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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