reproach

[ ri-prohch ]

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

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. the Reproaches. Also called Improperia. Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church. 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.

reproach

/ rɪˈprəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to impute blame to (a person) for an action or fault; rebuke
2. archaic.
   to bring disgrace or shame upon

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. above reproach or beyond reproach
   perfect; beyond criticism

Derived Forms

• reˈproachably, adverb
• reˈproacher, noun
• reˈproachable, adjective
• reˈproachableness, noun

Other Words From

• re·proacha·ble adjective
• re·proacha·ble·ness noun
• re·proacha·bly adverb
• re·proacher noun
• re·proaching·ly adverb
• unre·proacha·ble adjective
• unre·proacha·ble·ness noun
• unre·proacha·bly adverb
• unre·proached adjective
• unre·proaching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproach¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproach¹

C15: from Old French reprochier , from Latin re- + prope near

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Welsh Labour MP Steve Witherden has apologised after being reproached for drinking milk from a carton in the House of Commons last week.

From BBC

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

From Salon

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

From BBC

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

“His work is beyond reproach,” Farah said in a phone interview on April 5.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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