1
: an expression of rebuke or disapproval
2
: the act or action of reproaching or disapproving
was beyond reproach
4
obsolete
: one subjected to censure or scorn
reproached; reproaching; reproaches
1
: to express disappointment in or displeasure with (a person) for conduct that is blameworthy or in need of amendment
2
: to make (something) a matter of reproach
3
: to bring into discredit
Examples of reproach in a Sentence
Noun
A bug in the logic of a design, though discovered and fixed in the lab, stands as a slight reproach to the designer.
—
Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, 1981
Yes, he told them, when he came, it was quite true that they would have to pay interest. And then Teta Elzbieta broke forth into protestations and reproaches, so that the people outside stopped and peered in at the window.
—Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, 1906
"He's the finest boy in England," the father said in a tone of reproach to her, "and you don't seem to care for him, Becky, as much as you do for your spaniel. … "
—William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1847
She looked at him with reproach.
Accusations and reproaches from both parties made it difficult to pursue discussions.
His conduct has brought shame and reproach to his family.
Verb
Parents and teachers gaped at the young writers, uncertain whether to reproach or praise these young adults for their language in writing about decidedly adult issues.
—Tobi Jacobi, English Journal, March 2007
For years I fretted over these questions and reproached myself for not having taken that diary when it was offered to me in 1945.
—John Hope Franklin, Race and History, 1989
She did not reproach herself with her failure; but she would have been happier if there had been less discrepancy between her words to Sophy Viner and the act which had followed them.
—Edith Wharton, The Reef, 1912
our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard
she cleared her throat as a way of reproaching us for having our elbows on the table
Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, 1981
Yes, he told them, when he came, it was quite true that they would have to pay interest. And then Teta Elzbieta broke forth into protestations and reproaches, so that the people outside stopped and peered in at the window.
—Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, 1906
"He's the finest boy in England," the father said in a tone of reproach to her, "and you don't seem to care for him, Becky, as much as you do for your spaniel. … "
—William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1847
She looked at him with reproach.
Accusations and reproaches from both parties made it difficult to pursue discussions.
His conduct has brought shame and reproach to his family.
Verb
Parents and teachers gaped at the young writers, uncertain whether to reproach or praise these young adults for their language in writing about decidedly adult issues.
—Tobi Jacobi, English Journal, March 2007
For years I fretted over these questions and reproached myself for not having taken that diary when it was offered to me in 1945.
—John Hope Franklin, Race and History, 1989
She did not reproach herself with her failure; but she would have been happier if there had been less discrepancy between her words to Sophy Viner and the act which had followed them.
—Edith Wharton, The Reef, 1912
our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard
she cleared her throat as a way of reproaching us for having our elbows on the table
Recent Examples on the Web
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Vaccaro says the revelations about Lorch came as a shock to much of the basketball world, because from the outside, Lorch seemed beyond reproach.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
During her tenure, she was openly critiqued for her lack of political knowledge and reproached for her Christian-fundamentalist views on evolution.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reproach
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Noun
The reproach was like a punch in the gut, Spring said.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Vaccaro says the revelations about Lorch came as a shock to much of the basketball world, because from the outside, Lorch seemed beyond reproach.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Michelle exists on a level that is invulnerable to reproach, termination, or cancellation.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
During her tenure, she was openly critiqued for her lack of political knowledge and reproached for her Christian-fundamentalist views on evolution.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reproach
Cite this Entry
“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reproach. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reproach
2 of 2 verb
: to find fault with : blame
reproached him for his cowardice
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