REPROACH Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'reproach' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reproach are admonish , chide , rebuke , reprimand , and reprove . While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding. // reproached him for tardiness // chided by their mother for untidiness

Q: In what contexts can 'admonish' take the place of 'reproach'?

While the synonyms admonish and reproach are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel. // admonished by my parents to control expenses

Q: When can 'rebuke' be used instead of 'reproach'?

The words rebuke and reproach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof. // the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

Q: When could 'reprimand' be used to replace 'reproach'?

Although the words reprimand and reproach have much in common, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke. // reprimanded by the ethics committee

Q: Where would 'reprove' be a reasonable alternative to 'reproach'?

In some situations, the words reprove and reproach are roughly equivalent. However, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault. // gently reproved my table manners

reproach 1 of 2

noun

ri-ˈprōch

Definition of reproach

as in disgrace

a cause of shame your public display of boorish behavior is a reproach to this entire school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in condemnation

an often public or formal expression of disapproval a letter of reproach was added to her dossier

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shame

the state of having lost the esteem of others nothing the traitor did in later life lessened the reproach in which he was universally held

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reproach

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈprōch

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reprimand

to criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault she cleared her throat as a way of reproaching us for having our elbows on the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to censure

to express public or formal disapproval of the governor reproached the legislature for failing to pass the budget on time and once again throwing the state into fiscal chaos

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reproach contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of reproach are admonish, chide, rebuke, reprimand, and reprove. While all these words mean "to criticize adversely," reproach and chide suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding.

reproached him for tardiness

chided by their mother for untidiness

In what contexts can admonish take the place of reproach?

While the synonyms admonish and reproach are close in meaning, admonish suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel.

admonished by my parents to control expenses

When can rebuke be used instead of reproach?

The words rebuke and reproach are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rebuke suggests a sharp or stern reproof.

the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics

When could reprimand be used to replace reproach?

Although the words reprimand and reproach have much in common, reprimand implies a severe, formal, often public or official rebuke.

reprimanded by the ethics committee

Where would reprove be a reasonable alternative to reproach?

In some situations, the words reprove and reproach are roughly equivalent. However, reprove implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault.

gently reproved my table manners

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of reproach

Noun

Faculty should have the freedom to teach, students should have the freedom to learn, and both should have the freedom to question assumptions, challenge viewpoints and share competing ideas without fear of censorship or reproach. — Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 As a tribute to their compassion and tenacity in the face of horror, the six-part miniseries is above reproach — respectful and respectable, laudatory but dignified. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Verb

If Oosterhoff did end his patient’s life, however, God might reproach him for having acted without knowing all of the consequences. — Charles Lane, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026 During her tenure, she was openly critiqued for her lack of political knowledge and reproached for her Christian-fundamentalist views on evolution. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reproach

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproach

Noun

Beneath the spy plots, then, is a fond portrait of a group of people held in perpetual disgrace for their shortcomings, and thus forced to find individual paths to redemption.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
But Scott was mercifully lifted for Evan Phillips, who recorded the final out of the game to save the Dodgers from disgrace.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

The Johnson County pastor and the former rural doctor traded condemnations, repeatedly turning policy questions into opportunities to cast doubt on each other’s character and fitness for office.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Under Ben-Gvir, Israeli police have increasingly allowed Jews to pray at the site, a deliberate provocation to the Arab world, drawing condemnation from Palestinian and Jordanian authorities.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

She is obsessed with her closet, the organization of which puts even Kim to shame.

— Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

Verb

Mandell was later formally reprimanded for allowing another client’s hearing to be delayed by six years, during which time two witnesses died.

— Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2026
The Denver school board censured director Monica Hunter on Thursday night, the third time in five years that the governing body of Colorado’s largest K-12 district has publicly reprimanded a colleague.

— Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

But Raman had previously accepted the endorsement of a local pro-Israeli advocacy group, after which the chapter formally censured her.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
The board censured Valdez again in September 2025, accusing him of talking to the media without authorization and criticizing district leadership over a resident’s arrest during a heated board meeting.

— Sophia Veneziano, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

But many voters turned their backs on the party when Lula and other leaders became embroiled in corruption scandals in the 2010s.

— Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
Both have been hit by corruption suspicions involving family members and allies, with Bolsonaro implicated in a sprawling scandal rocking Brazil.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of scandal

Noun

The defense attorney who asked a Louisiana judge to ban pink from the courtroom in the Madison Brooks rape case was held in contempt Monday.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The boys’ callousness quickly turned to disgust, their contempt steadily aimed at Neil.

— S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of contempt

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reproach

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“Reproach.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproach. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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Synonyms of reproach

noun

verb

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