1
as in scolding
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
our neighbor loudly reproached us for tromping through his yard
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in admonishing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in censuring
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reproaching
The pillow talk on Man’s Best Friend often takes the curt, assertive tone of a person reproaching a precocious pet.
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Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reproaching
Verb
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But more recently, groups of citizens have grown tired of scolding and have begun reaching for the birch rod.—
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But acknowledging, or god forbid, scolding the internet for laughing at Kirk would only give it all more power.—
Verb
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These ridiculous charges led Swifties to bemoan the current political climate, admonishing left-leaning commentators for going overboard in their attempts to identify signs of cryptofascism in Swift’s work.—
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Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro sent a note to staff Friday, thanking them for the work and continued focus, while admonishing YouTube and its parent company Google for the dispute.—
Verb
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The House voted against censuring Plaskett in a 209-214-3 vote.—
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But, honestly, Meyers added, he wasn’t bothered by the attack, which is the latest in a line of Truth Social posts Trump has made censuring the comic.—
Verb
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Christian author Philip Yancey is retiring from writing and lecturing after admitting to a long-running affair with a married woman.—
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After teaching at Sacramento City College and lecturing at UC Davis, Fisher moved into public history, working with the California Office of Historic Preservation and the Architectural History Department at Caltrans.—
Verb
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Censures, a means of formally reprimanding a lawmaker without going so far as to expel them, have historically been rare; in the 200 years after Congress first convened, only 22 House members were censured.—
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When conversation veers into controversial territory, Gott suggests redirecting rather than reprimanding.—
Verb
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But in a shocker move in September 1983, Joe Strummer kicked guitarist Mick Jones out of the band, denouncing his former mate as a rock-star sellout.—
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Voters also believe that tariffs are exacerbating the situation, but few Republicans are denouncing them or calling for policy changes.—
Verb
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This third point is particularly important when there is an outspoken founder in the wings like Chip Wilson who has been publicly criticizing board decisions.—
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Since a shooting by an ICE agent in Minnesota killed a woman earlier this week, Martina Navratilova has shared dozens of X posts criticizing him and others in ICE.—
Verb
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The next day, in an email, Wynn appears to explain, blaming a dollar figure for teachers’ benefits that was mistakenly counted twice.—
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Discussions about the strike and closure online often turn ugly and devolve into blaming one side or the other.—
Cite this Entry
“Reproaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reproaching. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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