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
Compounding tensions, Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and prominent Trump ally, has amplified far-right movements across Europe without facing public reproach from the White House. Alex Marquardt, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025 Far more overtly than in McGahern’s previous novels, the reproaches in The Pornographer extend to the hypocrisies of Irish society. Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 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
  • There will be no disgrace or dishonor if they get rolled by the defending champs in the second round.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Harvey Weinstein will face his third criminal trial this week, in what we be seen as the latest referendum on the #MeToo movement, which began with his disgrace nearly eight years ago.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Carr has multiple probes in progress, and his investigation into CBS over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris has drawn condemnations from both liberal and conservative advocacy groups that describe it as a threat to the Constitutional right to free speech.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The politically explosive ruling drew condemnation from her right-wing allies in Europe and across the Atlantic.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • People give me hate and shame about that all the time.
    Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Once a marker of shame for many children of South Asian immigrants, hair oiling has filtered into beauty trends on social media.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The White House was reprimanded: A federal judge scolded the Trump administration for failing to try to return the man.
    Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
  • In Congress, Trump’s Tariff Pullback Sparks Relief, Frustration, and Suspicion At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.
    Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Mickey Rourke was reprimanded on Celebrity Big Brother UK after using a homophobic slur toward fellow housemate JoJo Siwa.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The mom comes back and then reprimanded me for not supporting her baby’s head.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • After the report was presented at their Tuesday meeting, town council members voted unanimously to hold a hearing on whether to censure Barber in May.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Libby is suing Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and House of Representatives clerk Robert Hunt after the Democrat majority voted to censure her over a February social media post that identified a trans athlete who won a state pole vault competition.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In this latest role, Tobin, a big man known for his weight-lifting workout regime, has dealt with one of the highest-profile Catholic scandals in recent years.
    Philip Pullella, Crispian Balmer, Alvise Armellini, Joshua McElwee and Chris Scicluna, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Hegseth and the White House sought to point the finger for the new scandal at four top aides who were recently forced out at the Pentagon amid a broad investigation over media leaks in his first several weeks in the post.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump scored one victory on Friday when an appeals court put on hold a threat by District Judge James Boasberg of contempt charges.
    Andrew Chung, Luc Cohen, Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • One judge this week said there was probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for not taking active steps to follow an order to stop the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to the notorious CECOT Prison in El Salvador.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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