opprobrious

adjective

op·​pro·​bri·​ous ə-ˈprō-brē-əs 

1

: expressive of opprobrium : scurrilous

opprobrious language

2

: deserving of opprobrium : infamous

opprobriously adverb

opprobriousness noun

Synonyms

• abusive
• insulting
• outrageous
• obscene
• offensive
• vituperative

Examples of opprobrious in a Sentence

an opprobrious attack on the alleged corruption in the police department

contends that visiting a brothel is the sort of opprobrious conduct for which a public official should be censured

Recent Examples on the Web

Honor is not, in Mr. Sommers’s view, without its opprobrious aspects, not least its association with violence. —Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 3 Aug. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin opprobriōsus, from Latin opprobrium opprobrium + -ōsus -ose entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

opprobrious

adjective

op·​pro·​bri·​ous ə-ˈprō-brē-əs 

: expressing very strong disapproval

the opprobrious term "murderer"