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 was no disgrace in getting blown out in the second half by the Cavaliers.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Making such statements in a U.N. capacity is a disgrace and goes against everything the United Nations stand for.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The rock legend's public condemnation of Trump is not new.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • His condemnation was echoed by former CIA, National Security Council and FBI counterterrorism leader Phil Mudd and retired four star Army General Brian McCaffrey.
    Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Moreover, the term body count itself carries a strong undercurrent of shame, particularly toward women.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Doing nothing is no longer an option for schools, teen says Around the country, as cases like Mani's continue to pop up, experts expect that shame prevents most victims from coming forward to flag abuses, suspecting that the problem is much more widespread than media reports suggest.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
  • After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Logical consistency would require these legislators to reprimand PURA’s rigid approach and call for more regulatory flexibility so utilities can invest proactively in essential cybersecurity measures.
    Brian Harrell, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
  • As John Cena and The Rock's Third Man WWE Could Steal Away Top AEW Star: Report Strickland recounted a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the group was reprimanded for a member's aggressive phone call to a WWE office employee regarding B-Fab's flight details.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 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
  • Using the couple's wedding to distract from a political scandal, Barbara's parents decide to visit Val's dads, who must pretend to be straight, resulting in Albert masquerading as a middle-aged woman.
    Stacy Lambe, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Burke’s career was plagued by scandal, including a dozen internal complaints on his official file.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Violations would be enforceable under New York’s criminal contempt laws, ensuring accountability.
    Eric Gonzalez, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • But the contempt seems to be even louder behind closed doors.
    Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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