What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between blame and reproach?

blame | reproach | Synonyms |

Reproach is a synonym of blame.



As nouns the difference between blame and reproach

is that blame is censure while reproach is a mild rebuke, or an implied criticism.

As verbs the difference between blame and reproach

is that blame is to censure (someone or something); to criticize while reproach is to criticize or rebuke someone.

blame

English

Etymology 1

(etyl), from (etyl)

Noun

(-)
  • Censure.
    • Blame came from all directions.
  • Culpability for something negative or undesirable.
    • The blame for starting the fire lies with the arsonist.
  • Responsibility for something meriting censure.
    • They accepted the blame , but it was an accident.
    Derived terms
    * put the blame on
    See also
    * fault

    Etymology 2

    (etyl), from (etyl) blasmer, from . Compare (blaspheme)

    Verb

    (blam)
  • To censure (someone or something); to criticize.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , III.ii:
    • though my loue be not so lewdly bent, / As those ye blame , yet may it nought appease / My raging smart [...].
  • *
    • These peculiarities of Dorothea's character caused Mr. Brooke to be all the more blamed in neighboring families for not securing some middle-aged lady as guide and companion to his nieces.
  • * 1919 , (Saki), ‘The Oversight’, The Toys of Peace :
    • That was the year that Sir Richard was writing his volume on Domestic Life in Tartary . The critics all blamed it for a lack of concentration.
  • * 2006 , Clive James, North Face of Soho , Picador 2007, p. 106:
    • I covered the serious programmes too, and indeed, right from the start, I spent more time praising than blaming .
  • (obsolete) To bring into disrepute.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , II.viii:
    • For knighthoods loue, do not so foule a deed, / Ne blame your honour with so shamefull vaunt / Of vile reuenge.
  • To assert or consider that someone is the cause of something negative; to place blame, to attribute responsibility (for something negative or for doing something negative).
    • The arsonist was blamed for the fire.
    Synonyms
    * reproach, take to task, upbraid * (consider that someone is the cause of something negative) hold to account
    Derived terms
    * blamer

    Anagrams

    * English reporting verbs

    reproach

    English

    Noun

    (reproaches)
  • A mild rebuke, or an implied criticism.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1818 , author=Mary Shelley , title=Frankenstein , chapter=4 citation , passage=My father made no reproach in his letters and only took notice of my science by inquiring into my occupations more particularly than before.}}
  • Disgrace or shame.

    • Verb

  • To criticize or rebuke someone.
  • * Bible, 1 Peter iv. 14
    • if ye be reproached for the name of Christ
  • * Milton
    • That this newcomer, Shame, / There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.
  • * Dryden
    • Mezentius with his ardour warmed / His fainting friends, reproached their shameful flight, / Repelled the victors.
  • To disgrace, or bring shame upon someone.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I thought your marriage fit; else imputation, / For that he knew you, might reproach your life.

    Synonyms

    * (to criticize or rebuke) blame, rebuke, upbraid * (to disgrace) disgrace, dishonor * See also

    Derived terms

    * beyond reproach * reproachful