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Reproach vs Insult - What's the difference?

reproach | insult | Synonyms |

Reproach is a synonym of insult.


As nouns the difference between reproach and insult

is that reproach is a mild rebuke, or an implied criticism while insult is an action or form of speech deliberately intended to be rude.

As verbs the difference between reproach and insult

is that reproach is to criticize or rebuke someone while insult is (obsolete|intransitive) to behave in an obnoxious and superior manner (over, against).

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

    insult

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To behave in an obnoxious and superior manner (over, against).
  • *, II.3.3:
  • thou hast lost all, poor thou art, dejected, in pain of body, grief of mind, thine enemies insult over thee, thou art as bad as Job […].
  • To offend (someone) by being rude, insensitive or insolent; to demean or affront (someone).
  • (obsolete) To leap or trample upon; to make a sudden onset upon.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Synonyms

    * (to offend) abuse, affront, offend, slight * See also

    Antonyms

    *compliment

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An action or form of speech deliberately intended to be rude.
  • * Savage
  • the ruthless sneer that insult adds to grief
  • * 1987 , Jamie Lee Curtis, A Fish Called Wanda :
  • To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people!
  • Anything that causes offence/offense, e.g. by being of an unacceptable quality.
  • The way the orchestra performed tonight was an insult to my ears.
  • (medicine) Something causing disease or injury to the body or bodily processes.
  • * 2006 , Stephen G. Lomber, Jos J. Eggermont, Reprogramming the Cerebral Cortex (page 415)
  • * 2011 , Terence Allen and Graham Cowling, The Cell: A Very Short Introduction , Oxford 2011, p. 96:
  • Within the complex genome of most organisms there are alternative multiple pathways of proteins which can help the individual cell survive a variety of insults , for example radiation, toxic chemicals, heat, excessive or reduced oxygen.
  • (obsolete) The act of leaping on; onset; attack.
  • (Dryden)

    Synonyms

    * (deliberatedly intended to be rude) abuse (uncountable), affront, offence (UK)/offense (US), pejorative, slam, slight, slur * (thing causing offence by being of unacceptable quality) disgrace, outrage * See also

    Antonyms

    *compliment

    Anagrams

    * * English heteronyms