reprobate 1 of 3

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

Examples of reprobate in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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 Instead, Killers of the Flower Moon pits white reprobates against indigenous innocents. Armond White, National Review, 20 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for reprobate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprobate
Adjective
  • Zoe Saldaña as Rita, a jaded defense attorney for white-collar criminals, is writing her closing argument, asking the jury to exonerate her client, a corrupt bureaucrat accused of pushing his wife off a balcony.
    Paula Aceves, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
  • In their telling, the fraud blamed on Dorje Chang was, in fact, pulled off by one of his corrupt former disciples.
    Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Also key in the Nightmare voice cast was Broadway veteran Page, who was the speaking and singing voice of the movie’s main villain Oogie Boogie.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
  • But Kent, Davis, and Wiseman manage to turn it into a compelling and moving psychological thriller, where the real villain turns out to be grief.
    Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Thousands of indigenous Mayan people in Guatemala rejected the construction of a Santa Muerte prayer center, allegedly financed by gang members imprisoned in a local jail.
    Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2024
  • The families of Israeli captives are calling on the Israeli government to reach a deal to secure the release of their relatives, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected these calls and is pressing on with military action in the Gaza strip.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Zoom in: Harris and her staff have refused to detail her position on more than a dozen of her previous stances the past three months in response to questions by Axios.
    Alex Thompson, Axios, 3 Nov. 2024
  • However, Embiid refused Hayes’ attempts to make amends.
    Homero De La Fuente, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • At the same time, there is growing concern about the health and environmental consequences of microplastics — the bits of degraded plastic that slough off as the product ages, or is used, or washed.
    Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
  • More:Milwaukee is turning around one of the most degraded sites in the Great Lakes.
    Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The Penguin's Falcone is every bit the misogynistic brute, but his actions are relegated to the off-screen imagination by being implied, rather than shown.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
  • The part originally played by Timothy Olyphant has been taken over by Adam Driver—a specialist in magnetic brutes—whose recent movie roles have tended to be titular titans of industry and/or guys with accents.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • The effort to deny Trump’s 2020 defeat centered on the role of Congress, each January 6th after an election year, in certifying the results of the Electoral College.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The songs are just too intricately lovely, delighting hips and hearts and heads all at once, to be denied.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • When pressed by Karl on his potentially tie-breaking role in the Senate, Osborn declined to align himself with either party.
    Kate Walter, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2024
  • If the election causes the market to decline, consider adding to your investment portfolio while others are panicking.
    John Jennings, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near reprobate

Cite this Entry

“Reprobate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprobate. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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