Reproach (r-prch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reproached (-prcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Reproaching.]
Etymology: [F. reprocher, OF. reprochier, (assumed) LL. reproriare; L. pref. re- again, against, back + prope near; hence, originally, to bring near to, throw in one's teeth. Cf. Approach.]
1. To come back to, or come home to, as a matter of blame; to bring shame or disgrace upon; to disgrace. [Obs.] I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, For that he knew you, might reproach your life. Shak.
2. To attribute blame to; to allege something disgracefull against; to charge with a fault; to censure severely or contemptuously; to upbraid. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ. 1 Peter iv. 14. That this newcomer, Shame, There sit not, and reproach us as unclean. Milton. Mezentius . . . with his ardor warmed His fainting friends, reproached their shameful flight. Repelled the victors. Dryden.
Syn. -- To upbraid; censure; blame; chide; rebuke; condemn; revile; vilify.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Reproach, n.
1. The act of reproaching; censure mingled with contempt; contumelious or opprobrious language toward any person; abusive reflections; as, severe reproach. No reproaches even, even when pointed and barbed with the sharpest wit, appeared to give him pain. Macaulay. Give not thine heritage to reproach. Joel ii. 17.
2. A cause of blame or censure; shame; disgrace.
3. An object of blame, censure, scorn, or derision. Come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Neh. ii. 17.
Syn. -- Disrepute; discredit; dishonor; opprobrium; invective; contumely; reviling; abuse; vilification; scurrility; insolence; insult; scorn; contempt; ignominy; shame; scandal;; disgrace; infamy.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for reproach; he lists it under abuse, blemish, reproof, reprove.
Where he writes about it:
To reproach is to censure openly and vehemently, and with intense personal feeling as of grief or anger; as, to reproach one for ingratitude; reproach knows no distinction of rank or character; a subject may reproach a king or a criminal judge. — from reprove