reproach
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
-
blame or censure conveyed in disapproval.
a term of reproach.
- Synonyms:
- disapproval , condemnation , remonstrance , criticism , rebuke , reprehension
- Antonyms:
- praise
-
an expression of upbraiding, censure, or reproof.
- Synonyms:
- disapproval , condemnation , remonstrance , criticism , rebuke , reprehension
- Antonyms:
- praise
-
disgrace, discredit, or blame incurred.
to bring reproach on one's family.
- Antonyms:
- honor
-
a cause or occasion of disgrace or discredit.
-
Also called Improperia. Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church. the Reproaches. a series of antiphons sung in church on Good Friday, consisting of words addressed by Christ to His people, reminding them of His mercies and of their ingratitude.
-
an object of scorn or contempt.
idioms
verb
-
to impute blame to (a person) for an action or fault; rebuke
-
archaic to bring disgrace or shame upon
noun
-
the act of reproaching
-
rebuke or censure; reproof
words of reproach
-
disgrace or shame
to bring reproach upon one's family
-
something that causes or merits blame, rebuke, or disgrace
-
perfect; beyond criticism
Related Words
Reproach, rebuke, scold, reprove imply calling one to account for something done or said. Reproach is censure (often about personal matters, obligations, and the like) given with an attitude of faultfinding and some intention of shaming: to reproach one for neglect. Rebuke suggests sharp or stern reproof given usually formally or officially and approaching reprimand in severity: He rebuked him strongly for laxness in his accounts. Scold suggests that censure is given at some length, harshly, and more or less abusively; it implies irritation, which may be with or without justification: to scold a boy for jaywalking. A word of related meaning, but suggesting a milder or more kindly censure, often intended to correct the fault in question, is reprove : to reprove one for inattention.
Other Word Forms
- reproachable adjective
- reproachableness noun
- reproachably adverb
- reproacher noun
- reproachingly adverb
- unreproachable adjective
- unreproachableness noun
- unreproachably adverb
- unreproached adjective
- unreproaching adjective
Etymology
Origin of reproach
First recorded in 1375–1425; (noun) late Middle English reproche, from Old French, derivative of reprochier “to reproach,” from unattested Vulgar Latin repropiāre “to bring back near,” equivalent to Latin re- “back, near; again” + Late Latin -propiāre (derivative of Latin prope “near”; re-, approach ); (verb) late Middle English reprochen, from Old French reprochier
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We’ve allowed some conservatives to make alliances with loathsome figures and permitted destructive currents of thought to flourish without appropriately forceful criticism or reproach.
It’s easy to snort at two men who—whether from political machination, ego or fantasy—continue to present obvious abuses of authority as beyond reproach.
Allies of Mahmood also said that she considers the Supreme Court's judgement on the issue of trans rights to be "beyond reproach".
From BBC
“That line of Lucy’s is intended to be a sharp reproach of that dismissal,” adds Song.
From Los Angeles Times
Ocean Vuong’s magnificent and melancholy second novel, “The Emperor of Gladness,” is both ode and reproach.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
