reproached

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reproached' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is being criticized or scolded for an action or attitude. Example sentence: "The teacher reproached the student for his lack of effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Orbán government has also been reproached for intimidating independent civic groups, including corruption watchdogs and minority advocates, and for its efforts to deepen ties with Russia.

The Guardian

Prince Charles is being reproached again for having too many views on his future kingdom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When she was reproached for punching a policeman in March, the real issue, she said, was that he was a racist for not recognising her.

The Economist

"Do you realise what you're doing?" he reproached the security men as TV cameras rolled.

The Economist

The new report, officially commissioned six years ago, though damning past political decisions, did not suggest today's cabinet could be reproached.

The Economist

He could be reproached for not having the proper decoration in his window; someone might even accuse him of disloyalty.

The Economist

More seriously, Miss Widdecombe, who felt Mr Lewis had been shamefully treated, began brooding on what had happened and reproached herself for not having resigned in protest.

The Economist

"Russia is reproached for isolating itself…They say Russia is angry.

The Economist

Shinsei Trust, part of Shinsei Bank, was reproached for including buildings that broke laws on construction standards in real-estate investment trusts.Hirofumi Gomi, commissioner of the FSA, explains why his agency has become stricter.

The Economist

They wanted to be labelled as a normal country and suddenly they are caught having weapons in the one country they had reproached for denying them a status of a normal state .The history of the Czech involvement in the Middle East is colourful.

The Economist

Curiously, so did Jesse Helms, a deed for which Mr Hitchens reproached him in one of those blistering obituaries he was so good at writing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reproached" when you want to convey a sense of disappointment or mild criticism, often implying a personal relationship or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "reproached" when a stronger term like "condemned" or "censured" is more appropriate. "Reproached" suggests a milder form of disapproval than these alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reproached" is as the past participle of the verb 'reproach'. It is used to indicate that someone or something has been criticized or blamed. Ludwig AI provides several examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reproached" functions as the past participle of 'reproach', indicating disapproval or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, predominantly used in News & Media and Encyclopedias, carrying a formal or neutral tone. While often interchangeable with terms like "criticized" or "rebuked", it carries a distinct connotation of disappointment or mild blame. Use "reproached" to express disapproval, but be mindful of its nuanced meaning compared to stronger alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criticized

Implies a more general expression of disapproval or fault-finding, lacking the sense of disappointment or regret often associated with "reproached".

rebuked

Indicates a sharp, formal disapproval, often delivered by someone in authority.

condemned

Implies a strong, often moral, disapproval or judgment against someone or something.

reprimanded

A formal and official expression of disapproval, often documented in a professional setting.

scolded

Suggests a more direct and often parental form of reprimand, typically for a specific action.

censured

Suggests a formal condemnation, often by a legislative or professional body.

reproved

Indicates a formal or gentle expression of disapproval, often with the intention of correction.

admonished

Carries a tone of gentle or earnest warning, rather than harsh criticism.

chided

Similar to scolded, but often implies a milder, more playful form of criticism.

blamed

Attributes responsibility for a fault or wrong, often without the implication of direct communication.

FAQs

How to use "reproached" in a sentence?

"Reproached" is the past participle of the verb "reproach", meaning to express disapproval or disappointment. For example, "He was "reproached" for his dishonesty".

What can I say instead of "reproached"?

You can use alternatives like "criticized", "scolded", or "rebuked" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reproached" or "approached"?

"Reproached" and "approached" have completely different meanings. "Reproached" means to express disapproval, while "approached" means to come near or nearer to someone or something.

What's the difference between "reproached" and "reprimanded"?

"Reproached" suggests a milder form of disapproval or disappointment, often implying a personal relationship. "Reprimanded" implies a formal and official expression of disapproval, typically by someone in authority.