reproach

[ ri-prohch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure.

   Synonyms: criticize, condemn, reprehend, reprimand, abuse, chide

   Antonyms: praise

2. to upbraid.
3. to be a cause of blame or discredit to.

   Synonyms: shame

noun

1. blame or censure conveyed in disapproval:

   a term of reproach.

   Synonyms: disapproval, condemnation, remonstrance, criticism, rebuke, reprehension

   Antonyms: praise

2. an expression of upbraiding, censure, or reproof.

   Synonyms: disapproval, condemnation, remonstrance, criticism, rebuke, reprehension

   Antonyms: praise

3. disgrace, discredit, or blame incurred:

   to bring reproach on one's family.

   Synonyms: obloquy, odium, disrepute, shame, dishonor, scorn, infamy, ignominy, opprobrium

   Antonyms: honor

4. a cause or occasion of disgrace or discredit.
5. the Reproaches. Also called Improperia. Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church. 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.
6. an object of scorn or contempt.

reproach

/ rɪˈprəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to impute blame to (a person) for an action or fault; rebuke
2. archaic.
   to bring disgrace or shame upon

noun

1. the act of reproaching
2. rebuke or censure; reproof

   words of reproach

3. disgrace or shame

   to bring reproach upon one's family

4. something that causes or merits blame, rebuke, or disgrace
5. above reproach
   above reproachbeyond reproach perfect; beyond criticism

Derived Forms

• reˈproachableness, noun
• reˈproacher, noun
• reˈproachable, adjective
• reˈproachably, adverb

Other Words From

• re·proacha·ble adjective
• re·proacha·ble·ness noun
• re·proacha·bly adverb
• re·proacher noun
• re·proaching·ly adverb
• unre·proacha·ble adjective
• unre·proacha·ble·ness noun
• unre·proacha·bly adverb
• unre·proached adjective
• unre·proaching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproach¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproach¹

C15: from Old French reprochier , from Latin re- + prope near

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. beyond / above reproach, not subject to blame or discredit; faultless:

   She has always been honest and beyond reproach in her business dealings.

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Masters’ tweets and messaging, particularly about public health, simply demanded a public reproach.

From The Daily Beast

Your bonafides to give independent advice in a report is always subject of concern, and one should be above reproach in those situations.

From Washington Blade

It’s enough to make you paranoid — or, at least, make you consider that no one, not even the people we choose to trust, is entirely above reproach.

From Washington Post

To be clear—I do not believe powerful, accomplished women are above reproach, and I have criticized my share.

From The Daily Beast

First of all, in his 25 years, by all accounts Lane Frost lived his life above reproach.

From The Daily Beast

“I realize that I am in the public spotlight and my conduct needs to be above reproach,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

A man of any rank may, without any reproach, abstain totally from tasting such liquors.

From The Daily Beast

Sitting on the side of her bed, her gaze is downturned, replete with a combination of remorse, self-reproach, and despair.

From The Daily Beast

"It is good to pray here," she said, in a tone the mildness and sincerity of which made the reproach more cutting.

From Project Gutenberg

The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.

From Project Gutenberg

For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.

From Project Gutenberg

The keen resentment had faded from his face, but an immense reproach was there—a heavy, helpless, appealing reproach.

From Project Gutenberg

All the criminals go about and take their pleasure, thus occasioning much reproach.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admonish
• chide
• discredit
• rebuke
• reprimand
• scold
• upbraid