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
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”; see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing reproach
Metamorphosis
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The Odyssey
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Grade 10, List 6
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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.
But former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said the judge's reproach was a worrying sign for Mr Trump's team.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2024
Simpson was led by the public's perception, or his interpretation of it, that enough ubiquity and money places a person beyond reproach.
From Salon • Apr. 13, 2024
“To reexamine and reproach it through a lens of racial and socioeconomic disparity, with an eye to restorative justice programs and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent offenses.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 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
Helmholtz gave it; and gave it without a reproach, without a comment, as though he had forgotten that there had ever been a quarrel.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
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.
