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
Whatever happens, though, his goalscoring prowess is beyond reproach. Rob Tanner, New York Times, 12 May 2025 And maybe there’s some regret and some reproach for other people or for an earlier version of yourself. Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 30 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
  • The Australian media called them a disgrace and embarrassment.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Deemed dangerous to national security by MI5, Mosley and his wife spent three years interned in prison before moving abroad in disgrace.
    Rosemary Counter, Time, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Fremantle masterfully captures the emotional weight of a young woman forced to fight for her voice, her future, and her dignity in the face of societal condemnation.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • There has been international condemnation of the attack, including from key Israeli ally the US, which comes at a time when there has been no let up in the offensive in Gaza.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • That is a shame, as many website builders these days offer image editors.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 July 2025
  • Unfortunately, the global version loses this connectivity, which is a shame.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Whether this comes off as a joke or as an invitation for scolding (spoken or unspoken, loving or otherwise) depends entirely on the other Muslims in the room.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
  • But there was a time Emily Deschanel, who played the meticulous forensic anthropologist through 12 seasons of Bones, got scolded for being just that — and the memory still makes the star emotional.
    EW.com, EW.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Officer Juan Gonzalez, a 12-year Miami Gardens police veteran, described being reprimanded for speaking to other Hispanic officers at a crime scene.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
  • Ruben is sailing across the Atlantic with them (which Duncan rightfully reprimands him for later – like really, who brings a small child across the ocean in a sailboat?).
    Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Behind the scenes of the Laurel Libby censure The past controversy involving the Greely High School athlete had a wide-ranging ripple effect on the state's congress.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2025
  • But its uranium enrichment has reached near weapons-grade levels, and on Thursday, the U.N.'s atomic watchdog censured Iran for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Noun
  • Nashville's show was free of any scandals and the band handled the moment with class.
    Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
  • One of higher education’s unsung scandals is enrollment caps for the most remunerative majors, namely the most technical and scientific.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Officials arrested the 55-year-old on Saturday after a Missouri judge held her in contempt of court for dodging court orders regarding $224,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs owed to PETA.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
  • The series of photos — and a follow-up Valentine's Day post — were not well-received by Arroyo, who told PEOPLE that Rossi and Smiley barely saw Grayson and all there have been eight contempt of court orders over the years.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 18 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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