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reprobate

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noun

reprobate

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprobate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reprobate are censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, and reprehend. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

When would censure be a good substitute for reprobate?

The words censure and reprobate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When could condemn be used to replace reprobate?

The synonyms condemn and reprobate are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to reprobate?

The words criticize and reprobate can be used in similar contexts, but criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

How are the words denounce and condemn related as synonyms of reprobate?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When might reprehend be a better fit than reprobate?

While in some cases nearly identical to reprobate, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reprobate
Adjective
That’s when Regina’s sardonic sister (Wanda Skyes, the show’s co-creator) steps in and lets him and his reprobate pals have it. Jeanne Jakle, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Apr. 2021 For reference, consider the late, reprobate Southwest Conference. Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 13 Jan. 2020
Noun
Whether this is also the outcome for Hozier’s simpering reprobate is up for the listener to decide. Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 29 May 2024 That tirade paralleled a similar rant by Eminem, the token white reprobate and protégé of Dr. Dre’s degenerate Interscope/Death Row combine. Armond White, National Review, 15 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for reprobate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprobate
Adjective
  • Ellen Pompeo, Bella Ramsey, Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci, Paul Feig & More Based on the New York Times best-selling comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys follows a group of vigilantes who aim to keep corrupt superheroes in check.
    Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
  • On top of that, Adams has sagging poll numbers, low fundraising dollars and the appearance of a corrupt bargain with President Trump.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Whereas Serena could easily have emerged as a one-note villain, from the beginning of her tenure on the series, Strahovski has imbued Serena with a soulfulness that often puts the audience uncomfortably on her side, despite her reprehensible actions.
    Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Even when a big threat does arrive on the scene, the heroes aren't there right away, so plenty of innocent people get hurt before a villain gets brought to justice.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The best way to avoid the tariffs, Trump has told businesses, is to make goods inside the U.S. EU officials had suggested sector-specific zero-for-zero tariffs with the U.S., such as in industrial goods and autos, but Trump rejected the idea.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Superior Court Judge Craig Collins from neighboring Gaston county also rejected it after Tench’s friends and family — his mother, sister and aunts — submitted and read aloud letters underlining the effect Tench’s disappearance and apparent death have had.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The panel of House and Senate members argued over whether to punish the universities for their DEI initiatives — diversity, equity and inclusion — or whether to reward the schools for recent actions, like refusing to compete with a volleyball team with a transgender athlete.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The retro approach has been years in the making, with Trump refusing to back down in the face of a tumbling stock market and public recriminations from the United States’ top allies.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Apple spent years ignoring RCS, allowing iPhones to offer a degraded messaging experience with Android users.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Figure 4 shows an example of a daytime camera image in degraded visibility conditions, of a 1 m wide buoy at a range of 2 nautical miles (3.6 miles).
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • By the end of the episode, the audience is eager to meet the antihero, the brute, that everyone is talking about.
    Maelle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Slinging a sports coat over his pajamas, Long pulls up to a curb and finds Tay (Dustin Nguyen), the Vietnamese speaker, plus two silent brutes, Eddie (Phi Vu) and Aden (Dali Benssalah), who muscle into his car and take over everything: the seating arrangements, the air freshener and their driver.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The government of Isla Mujeres also denied that the event was taking place there.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Mahmoud Khalil: Judge denies Trump administration's bid to move his case to Louisiana U.S. officials have justified expelling Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador because of their tattoos.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lone Jack Police Chief Tim Cosner, who took the helm after the 2021 crash, declined to be interviewed about why the department’s policy changed.
    Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
  • But declining attendances now sees that held in February each year.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reprobate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprobate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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