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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The likelihood of being dealt is a best-guess projection (from red as unlikely through yellow to green as likely), and the rankings are beyond reproach. — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Journalists are not above reproach. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 1 June 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

When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Until Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign exploded in disgrace, Platner was routinely cast as a son of privilege playing Carhartt dress-up.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

These measures attracted widespread international condemnation, with several countries and the United Nations criticizing the Taliban’s treatment of women.

— Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Aug. 2026
Settlers have surrounded three Palestinian houses for more than a week, trapping families inside as Israeli troops declare a closed military zone and Washington issues an unusually sharp condemnation.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Noun

Meizlish told the Washington Examiner that prior attempts to shame countries doing business with Iran, including China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, had fallen flat.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
And that's a shame, because the US could arguably use more cars like this, not fewer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shame

Verb

Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.

— JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Judge William Sullivan declined to declare a mistrial but sharply reprimanded the prosecution and told the jury to disregard Heilbrun’s statements on Clancy’s faith.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The lawsuit says the officer was reprimanded and removed from further field training of Wadell.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

There have also been calls for him to be censured or even expelled by other members of Congress, especially in the wake of several high-profile accusations of misconduct in the House.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Independent investigations commissioned by the county found instances of managerial misconduct, leading the Shasta County Board of Supervisors to formally censure him earlier this August.

— Drew Askeland, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

When King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014, forced out by financial scandals and weakened by recurring health problems, the crown skipped his eldest daughter, Infanta Elena, born in 1963.

— Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026
Where others might’ve retired and spent their money, having managed to make it to the end of the 20th century without a legitimate scandal or sustained career downturn, Parton kept giving it away and finding new methods to inspire and create.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of scandal

Noun

Because if the objection were simply to wealth, consumerism, vanity, or profiting from attention, our contempt would be distributed much more evenly.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
This behavior by a defendant is not permitted in court and is often grounds for removal from the courtroom or a contempt-of-court charge.

— Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of contempt

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reprising

reproach

reproachable

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of reproach

noun

verb

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Synonyms of reproach

noun

verb

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