irreproachable

American  

[ir-i-proh-chuh-buhl] / ˌɪr ɪˈproʊ tʃə bəl /

adjective

1. free from blame; not able to be reproached or censured.

   Synonyms:

   unflawed, impeccable, blameless

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irreproachable British  

/ ˌɪrɪˈprəʊtʃəbəl /

adjective

1. not deserving reproach; blameless

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Other Word Forms

• irreproachability noun
• irreproachableness noun
• irreproachably adverb

Etymology

Origin of irreproachable

First recorded in 1625–35; ir- ² + reproachable ( def. )

Explanation

Use the adjective irreproachable to describe something or someone blameless or not deserving of criticism. It can be annoying, but your parents strive to give you irreproachable advice when they tell you, "Study hard in school," and not "Party on!" The adjective irreproachable comes from the Old French word reprocher, which meant "to blame." With the addition of the prefix ir-, meaning "not," and the suffix -able, meaning "capable," we get the English meaning of "not capable of being blamed." It is the rare politician who has an irreproachable reputation. So if your background is not irreproachable and you run for office, be prepared for the press to dig up all the skeletons in your closet.

Example Sentences

Eliot, a business executive who retired after Claire’s cancer moved to her lungs, has, through it all, been a loving presence and an irreproachable caregiver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

“Even with such a seemingly irreproachable mission, this corporation has come under fire many times, facing it’s first existential threat a mere two years after its inception in 1969,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

A former New Dealer, an academic, an internationalist, he was the type who offended Cohn, but he was almost comically irreproachable.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2023

“He will remain in the memories of the supporters as someone with an irreproachable attitude, who has defended our colors with faultless commitment.”

From Seattle Times • May 21, 2022

“I thought you wanted a phone,” Mother said, her eyes so full of surprise they were irreproachable.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover