Basic Details
Word: Reproach
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To express disappointment or criticism towards someone for their actions.
Synonyms: Criticise, scold, admonish, blame
Antonyms: Praise, commend, approve, applaud
Idioms and Phrases
- Bring someone to reproach: To make someone face criticism for their actions. Example: "The teacher had to bring the student to reproach for not submitting the assignment on time."
- Reproach oneself: To feel disappointment or shame about ones own actions. Example: "After forgetting her best friend's birthday, she began to reproach herself for not being more thoughtful."
Usage Examples
Example 1: When he arrived late to the meeting, his colleagues looked at him with reproach.
Example 2: She felt a deep sense of reproach after lying to her friend.
Example 3: The teacher expressed her reproach for the students lack of effort during the project.
Fun Fact
The word reproach comes from the Latin word "reprochare," meaning "to bring back to the mind," indicating the action of recalling someone's faults or failures.
Famous Quote
"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7, which suggests that no one is free from reproach.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "reproach" mean?
a) To ignore someone
b) To express disappointment or criticism
c) To praise someone
d) To make someone happy
Answer: b) To express disappointment or criticism
2. Which of these is a synonym of "reproach"?
a) Commend
b) Criticise
c) Applaud
d) Approve
Answer: b) Criticise
3. Which of these is an antonym of "reproach"?
a) Blame
b) Scold
c) Praise
d) Admonish
Answer: c) Praise
4. Which sentence uses "reproach" correctly?
a) The mother reproached her child for not cleaning his room.
b) The dog reproached the toy that was thrown.
c) He reproached the bread before eating it.
d) The sun reproached brightly in the sky.
Answer: a) The mother reproached her child for not cleaning his room.
5. What does the idiom "reproach oneself" mean?
a) To ignore one's mistakes
b) To feel shame about one's own actions
c) To celebrate
d) To take care of others
Answer: b) To feel shame about one's own actions
