Reproach: meaning, example and synonyms
Reproachn. An expression of disapproval or blame directed at someone.
Example
The committee's report carried an implicit reproach to the engineers who had ignored early warnings about the cracking foundation.
- Part of speech
- noun
- Synonyms
- rebuke, reprimand, censure, admonition
- Antonyms
- praise, approval, commendation
- Memory tip
- re + proche (near): bringing a fault up close to someone's face.
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Check yourself: Reproach in context
The auditor's report contained no explicit accusation, yet its careful list of missed deadlines read as a quiet ______ to the managers who had ignored repeated warnings.
Answer: reproach. A list of failures aimed at managers who ignored warnings expresses blame: reproach. Dispersion (scattering), dexterity (skill) and a contrivance (device) don't express disapproval.
The coach said nothing after the careless loss, but the look of ______ she gave her players stung more than any lecture could have.
Answer: reproach. A silent look that stings after a careless loss conveys disapproval: reproach. A foible is a quirk, dispersion is scattering and dexterity is skill; none can be a stinging look.