reproach
noun · verb
Simple meaning
To criticize or rebuke.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
reeprohchSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ɹipˈɹoʊtʃ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A mild rebuke or criticism
“Her only reproach was that we should have called sooner.”
Disgrace or shame
“He brought reproach upon his family.”
countable
An object of scorn.
verb
transitive
To criticize or rebuke (someone).
transitive
To disgrace, or bring shame upon.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient
- Frequency
- Uncommon
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A mild rebuke or criticism
Used this way, reproach is a common word with a faintly unfavourable edge. It stays understated rather than dramatic. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
“Her only reproach was that we should have called sooner.”
- Emotional tone
- Slightly negative
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Mild
- How common
- Common
- Connotation
- Critical or judgemental
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
How It’s Used
The word’s distinct uses, one example each.
Mildnoun
“Her only reproach was that we should have called sooner.”
Disgracenoun
“He brought reproach upon his family.”
More ways to use reproach
- “He brought reproach upon his family.”noun
- “The president reproached the general for his irresponsible behavior.”verb
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed).
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: to criticize or rebuke (someone)
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Words can change meaning depending on context.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.