— reproachable , adj. — reproachableness , n. — reproachably , adv. — reproacher , n. — reproachingly , adv.
/ri prohch"/ , v.t.
1. to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure.
2. to upbraid.
3. to be a cause of blame or discredit to.
n.
4. blame or censure conveyed in disapproval: a term of reproach.
5. an expression of upbraiding, censure, or reproof.
6. disgrace, discredit, or blame incurred: to bring reproach on one's family.
7. a cause or occasion of disgrace or discredit.
8. the Reproaches . Also called Improperia . Rom. Cath. Ch., Anglican Ch. 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.
9. an object of scorn or contempt.
[ 1375-1425; (n.) late ME reproche reprochier to reproach repropiare to bring back near, equiv. to L re- RE- + LL -propiare (deriv. of L prope near; see APPROACH); (v.) late ME reprochen reprochier ]
Syn. 1. chide, abuse, reprimand, reprehend, condemn, criticize. 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. 3. shame. 4, 5 . reprehension, rebuke, criticism, remonstrance, condemnation, disapproval. 6. dishonor, shame, disrepute, odium, obloquy, opprobrium, ignominy, infamy, scorn.
Ant. 1, 4, 5. praise. 6. honor.