reprehend

rep·re·hend

transitive verb \ˌre-pri-ˈhend\

Definition of REPREHEND

: to voice disapproval of : censure

Examples of REPREHEND

1. <that denomination reprehends murder in any form, contending that the taking of life is never justified>
2. <without exception, book reviewers reprehended the novel's tired plot>

Origin of REPREHEND

Middle English, from Latin reprehendere, literally, to hold back, from re- + prehendere to grasp — more at get

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REPREHEND

Synonyms

anathematize, censure, damn, decry, denounce, execrate, condemn, reprobate

Antonyms

bless

Related Words

attack, blame, blast, criticize, dis (also diss) [slang], dispraise, fault, knock, pan, slam; belittle, deprecate, disparage; doom, sentence; convict; blacklist, excommunicate, ostracize; castigate, chastise, rebuke, reprimand, reproach; admonish, chide, reprove; berate, lambaste (or lambast), rake, scold, upbraid, vituperate; curse, imprecate; abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, revile

Near Antonyms

approve, endorse (also indorse), sanction; eulogize, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, praise; acclaim, applaud, commend, hail, salute, tout; consecrate, hallow, sanctify; honor, revere, venerate

See Synonym Discussion at criticize

Rhymes with REPREHEND

apprehend, bitter end, business end, comprehend, condescend, discommend, dividend, in the end, minuend, on the mend, open-end, overspend, recommend, repetend, subtrahend, vilipend