Reproachfully

Reproachfully is an adverb describing a manner characterized by disapproval, blame, or criticism. It conveys an expression or action that indicates someone is finding fault or expressing disappointment, often with a hint of anger or accusation. The delivery is usually stern and implies a sense of moral judgment or condemnation of another's actions or behavior. It suggests a pointing out of errors or flaws with a disapproving tone. The word often carries weight, implying the speaker feels justified in their disapproval and expects the subject of the reproach to acknowledge their wrongdoing or shortcomings. Furthermore, the word suggests a level of dissatisfaction or displeasure with the actions, words, or character of someone or something.

Reproachfully meaning with examples

• After spilling the milk, the child's mother looked at him reproachfully, her eyebrows furrowed. "Now look what you've done," she sighed, "I told you to be careful!" Her expression conveyed a blend of disappointment and mild frustration, making the child understand he needed to be more mindful. This action created a moment for reflection, which hopefully caused a learning experience that impacted future behavior.
• The teacher, upon discovering the student's plagiarism, addressed the class reproachfully. "I am very disappointed," she said, "in this instance of copying from a classmate. This is a violation of our academic honesty code and will be addressed severely." She expected an apology and a genuine understanding of the negative impact this had on the class.
• He turned to his friend, who'd forgotten to bring a vital piece of equipment, and spoke reproachfully. "How could you forget that? We spent weeks prepping! Now, the entire project is at risk. Why couldn't you be more responsible?" It would appear his emotions had begun to overtake his thinking process.
• The audience glanced reproachfully at the latecomers as they stumbled through the dark, disrupting the solemnity of the concert. Their disapproving stares made the latecomers acutely aware of their disruption and forced them to the back of the auditorium. This was a shared feeling, as the concertgoers clearly shared the same sentiments.
• The coach, surveying the losing team after their lackluster performance, spoke reproachfully. "I expect more," he stated, "from each of you. Your effort was simply not enough. We will be running extra drills this week." His expression clearly communicated a sense of disappointment and a demand for improved effort and commitment.