English vocabulary · B2
Reproach
/rɪˈproʊtʃ/ · n., v.
It means to express blame or disappointment toward someone.
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Example sentences
- Her eyes were full of reproach after I forgot.
- He spoke with quiet reproach, not anger.
Word origin and roots
from Old French
- re — back (from Old French)
- proach — near (from Old French)
Synonyms and nuances
- blame (holding someone responsible for harm)
- scold (speaking sharply to correct behavior)
- criticize (pointing out flaws or errors)
Words with the same root
prochier — to come near
- approach — to come near to something — to move closer
- irreproachable — impossible to reproach — above all blame or criticism
Lesson notes
Reproach. It means to express blame or disappointment toward someone. A look or words that say: you did wrong.
Similar words are blame, scold, and criticize. Use reproach when the tone is calm but the feeling of disappointment is strong.
Her eyes were full of reproach after I forgot. He spoke with quiet reproach, not anger.
From Old French. Re means back. Proach means near. Bringing fault back close to someone — that is reproach.