''reproach'' ▫ᴱᴺ Entries

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''reproach'' ▫ᴱᴺ｜Definition｜1st｜20260331180822-00-⌔

reproach - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

Noun

reproach (countable and uncountable, plural reproaches)

• A mild rebuke, or an implied criticism.
  • ✤ My father made no reproach in his letters and only took notice of my science by inquiring into my occupations more particularly than before.¹
• Disgrace or shame.
• (countable) An object of scorn.

Verb

reproach (third-person singular simple present reproaches, present participle reproaching, simple past and past participle reproached)

• (transitive) To criticize or rebuke (someone).
  • ✤ Synonyms: exprobrate, blame, rebuke, upbraid; see also Thesaurus: criticize
  • ✤ if ye be reproached for the name of Christ²
  • ✤ this new commer, Shame,
    There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.³
  • ✤ Mezentius […] with his ardour warmed/His fainting friends, reproached their shameful flight,/Repelled the victors.⁴
• (transitive) To disgrace, or bring shame upon.
  • ✤ Synonyms: disgrace, dishonor; see also Thesaurus: defame
  • ✤ I thought your marriage fit; else imputation,/For that he knew you, might reproach your life.⁵

Etymology

From Middle English reprochen, from Old French reprochier (Modern French reprocher).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɹɪˈpɹəʊtʃ/
• (US) IPA: /ɹɪˈpɹoʊt͡ʃ/
• Audio (US): 🔊
• Audio (Australian): 🔊
• Rhymes: -əʊtʃ

Printed 2026-06-28.

(echo:: @ ⌗)

Footnotes

1. 1818, Mary Shelley, chapter 4, in Frankenstein ‎${}^{[1]}$, archived from the original on 30 October 2011: ↩

2. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Peter 4:14: ↩

3. 1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a] nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a] nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC: ↩

4. 1697, Virgil, “”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC: ↩

5. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]: ↩

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