reprobate

noun

Definition of reprobate

(Entry 1 of 3)

: an unprincipled or depraved person : scoundrel, rogue Cemeteries were seldom placed on the north side of a church, which, if used for burial at all, was reserved for unbaptized children, criminals, reprobates and suicides.— Rosemary Ellen Guiley

reprobate

adjective

Definition of reprobate (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : morally corrupt : depraved

b : foreordained to damnation

2 : of, relating to, or characteristic of a reprobate reprobate conduct

3 : expressing or involving reprobation

4 archaic : rejected as worthless or not standing a test : condemned

reprobate

verb

rep·ro·bate | \ ˈre-prə-ˌbāt

reprobated; reprobating

Definition of reprobate (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to condemn strongly as unworthy, unacceptable, or evil reprobating the laxity of the age

2 : to refuse to accept : reject

3 : to foreordain to damnation

Other Words from reprobate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About reprobate

Other Words from reprobate

Verb

reprobative \ ˈre-prə-ˌbā-tiv

\ adjective

reprobatory \ ˈre-prə-bə-ˌtȯr-ē

\ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for reprobate

Verb

criticize, reprehend, censure, reprobate, condemn, denounce mean to find fault with openly. criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions. criticized the police for using violence reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking. reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding. a Senator formally censured by his peers reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction. reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment. condemned the government's racial policies denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration. a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

Examples of reprobate in a Sentence

Noun a program for rehabilitating hard-core reprobates and turning them into hard-working, law-abiding citizens Adjective a reprobate judge who could be bribed, and often with astonishing ease Verb the board will most likely reprobate the request for parole without hesitation she reprobated such an indecent idea

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Jack is variously described and self-described as a ne’er-do-well, a reprobate, a black sheep and a scoundrel. — Sam Sacks, WSJ, 25 Sep. 2020 Today’s Rand movement is full of transgressors and reprobates. — Alexander Sammon, The New Republic, 14 Aug. 2019 Joann Jimenez described reprobates as people who have been rejected by God. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2019 Get our daily newsletter The scandal over Harvey Weinstein’s treatment of women, and over the other reprobates exposed in his wake, is changing Hollywood irrevocably. — The Economist, 1 Mar. 2018 Baseball catches just a handful of reprobates each year. — Michael Powell, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Batiste is not a reprobate minstrel like late-night regular Lil Nas X; yet the weakness of both is held in equivalent esteem by the cultural mainstream. — Armond White, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 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 While Brussels often pulls its punches on enforcing the rules, the stigma of being a fiscal pariah can be enough to rattle financial markets and push reprobate countries into compliance. — Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019 Bryan Cranston gets wild as a free-spirited, reprobate bar owner. — Chris Ball, cleveland.com, 4 Feb. 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Some of it was the sheer allure of mischief-making, the unrepentant reprobate being more compelling than the nice guy. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2021 Lemme hear from you reprobates who bet the rent money and lost. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 28 Oct. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reprobate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.