reproach

American  

[ri-prohch] / rɪˈproʊtʃ /

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

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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:

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

   Antonyms:

   honor

4. a cause or occasion of disgrace or discredit.

5. 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.

6. an object of scorn or contempt.

idioms

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

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

reproach British  

/ rɪˈprəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to impute blame to (a person) for an action or fault; rebuke

2. archaic to bring disgrace or shame upon

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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. 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

Explanation

Reproach means to mildly criticize. If you show poor manners at your grandmother's dinner table, she will reproach you. The verb reproach means to express disapproval or criticism of; as a noun it means blame or criticism. If you are beyond reproach that means no one could find anything to criticize about you. Synonyms for reproach are the verbs admonish, reprove, rebuke, reprimand. As a noun, reproach can also be shame. If you are caught lying, it is a reproach that might bother you for a while.

Example Sentences

Ocean Vuong’s magnificent and melancholy second novel, “The Emperor of Gladness,” is both ode and reproach.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2025

Governor Robert Orr, R-Ind., was disciplined and kind and his ethics were beyond reproach.

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2024

"Personally, it was worse for me after my massive mistake in 2014. But there's nothing that I would reproach."

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2024

“In fact, following our efforts, our state-of-the-art compliance program has been repeatedly acknowledged as impressive and above reproach by outside parties.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2024

“What?” said Estella, preserving her attitude of indifference as she leaned against the great chimney-piece and only moving her eyes; “do you reproach me for being cold? You?”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Related Words

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