reproach

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈprəʊtʃ/

verb

[with object]
  • express to (someone) one’s disapproval of or disappointment in their actions: her friends reproached her for not thinking enough about her family [with direct speech]: ‘You know that isn’t true,’ he reproached her
  • (reproach someone with) accuse someone of: his wife reproached him with cowardice
  • archaic censure or rebuke (an offence).

noun

[mass noun]
  • the expression of disapproval or disappointment: he gave her a look of reproach [count noun]: a farrago of warnings and pained reproaches
  • (a reproach to) a thing that makes the failings of (someone or something else) more apparent: his elegance is a living reproach to our slovenly habits
  • (Reproaches) (in the Roman Catholic Church) a set of antiphons and responses for Good Friday representing the reproaches of Christ to his people.

Phrases

above (or beyond) reproach

such that no criticism can be made; perfect: his integrity is beyond reproach

Derivatives

reproachable

adjective

reproacher

noun

reproaching

adjective

reproachingly

adverb

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French reprochier (verb), from a base meaning 'bring back close', based on Latin prope 'near'