different between reproach vs obloquy

English

Etymology

Old French reprochier (Modern reprocher).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /???p???t?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /???p?o?t?/
• Rhymes: -??t?

Noun

reproach (countable and uncountable, plural reproaches)

1. A mild rebuke, or an implied criticism.
2. Disgrace or shame.
3. (countable) An object of scorn.

Synonyms

• obloquy, opprobrium

Translations

Verb

reproach (third-person singular simple present reproaches, present participle reproaching, simple past and past participle reproached)

1. (transitive) To criticize or rebuke (someone).

   • if ye be reproached for the name of Christ

   • Mezentius […] with his ardour warmed / His fainting friends, reproached their shameful flight, / Repelled the victors.

2. (transitive) To disgrace, or bring shame upon.

Synonyms

• (to criticize or rebuke): blame, rebuke, upbraid
• (to disgrace): disgrace, dishonor
• See also Thesaurus:reprehend

Derived terms

• beyond reproach
• reproachful
• reproachable

Translations

English

Etymology

From Late Latin obloquium (“contradiction”), from Latin obloquor (“speak against, contradict”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??bl??kwi/, /???bl??kwi/

Noun

obloquy (countable and uncountable, plural obloquies)

1. Abusive language.
   • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 34.

     It is surprising, therefore, that this philosophy, which, in almost every instance, must be harmless and innocent, should be the subject of so much groundless reproach and obloquy.
2. Disgrace.
   • 1825, William Hazlitt, The Spirit of the Age, Mr. Malthus

     His name undoubtedly stands very high in the present age, and will in all probability go down to posterity with more or less of renown or obloquy.

   • 1886, Henry James, The Princess Casamassima.

     It was comparatively easy for him to accept himself as the son of a terribly light Frenchwoman; there seemed a deeper obloquy even than that in his having for his other parent a nobleman altogether wanting in nobleness.

3. (archaic) A false accusation; malevolent rumors.
   • 1830, Joseph Plumb Martin, A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents that Occurred Within His Own Observation, Chapter IX. Campaign of 1783:

     It is as cruel as the grave to any man, when he knows his own rectitude of conduct, to have his hard services not only debased and underrated. But the Revolutionary soldiers are not the only people that endure obloquy.

Synonyms

• (abusive language): defamation, insult
• (disgrace): opprobrium

Translations