reprobate

verb rep·ro·bate \ ˈre-prə-ˌbāt \

Updated on: 9 Mar 2018

Definition of reprobate

reprobated; reprobating

transitive verb

1 : to condemn strongly as unworthy, unacceptable, or evil

reprobating the laxity of the age

2 : to foreordain to damnation

3 : to refuse to accept : reject

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reprobative

play \ˈre-prə-ˌbā-tiv\ adjective

—

reprobatory

play \ˈre-prə-bə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See reprobate defined for kids

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Examples of reprobate in a Sentence

the board will most likely reprobate the request for parole
without hesitation she reprobated such an indecent idea

Origin and Etymology of reprobate

Middle English, from Late Latin reprobatus, past participle of reprobare — more at reprove

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

reprobate Synonyms

Phrases

turn one's back on;

Synonym Discussion of reprobate

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

reprobate

adjective

Definition of reprobate

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

2 a : foreordained to damnation

b : morally corrupt : depraved

3 : expressing or involving reprobation

4 : of, relating to, or characteristic of a reprobate

Examples of reprobate in a Sentence

a reprobate judge who could be bribed, and often with astonishing ease

Recent Examples of reprobate from the Web

Bryan Cranston gets wild as a free-spirited, reprobate bar owner.

— chris ball, cleveland.com, "'Professor Marston and the Wonder Women,' now on DVD and Blu-ray (review)," 4 Feb. 2018
Rather, Trump belongs to the great line of reprobate politicians, from James Michael Curley to Marion Barry, who thrive on notoriety and gain strength from scandal.

— jeet heer, New Republic, "#AlwaysTrump," 13 Sep. 2017

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.

First Known Use of reprobate

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

reprobate Synonyms

Synonyms

corrupt, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakish, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped;

Antonyms

pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted;

Near Antonyms

incorruptible;

ethical, honest, principled;

good, moral, righteous, virtuous;

contaminated, spoiled, tainted;

bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked;

reprobate

noun

Definition of reprobate

: 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

See reprobate defined for English-language learners

Examples of reprobate in a Sentence

a program for rehabilitating hard-core reprobates and turning them into hard-working, law-abiding citizens

Recent Examples of reprobate from the Web

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, "The aftermath of the Weinstein scandal," 1 Mar. 2018
Baseball catches just a handful of reprobates each year.

— michael powell, New York Times, "The Home Run Explosion Is Not Exactly Beyond Suspicion," 21 Sep. 2017
The mainstream media denounced such behavior, but that only emboldened some, cementing their image as reprobates.

— michael smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "How would La Jolla's 'surf Nazis' fare these days?," 26 Aug. 2017
Mitchell also well handles the role of the Proustian character, the Baron de Charlus, a charming reprobate who comes to rue favoring rough trade.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "Tennessee Williams' 'Camino Real' a wild dream that will jolt audiences," 31 July 2017
His surname did not derive from the Russian word for reprobate.

— steven lee myers, New York Times, "‘Rasputin’ Unravels the Myths of the ‘Mad Monk’," 29 Dec. 2016

Did You Know?

These days, calling someone a "reprobate" is hardly a condemnation to hellfire and brimstone, but the original reprobates of the 16th century were hardened sinners who had fallen from God's grace. By the 19th century, "reprobate" had acquired the milder, but still utterly condemnatory, sense of "a depraved person." Gradually, though, the criticism implied by "reprobate" became touched with tolerance and even a bit of humor. It is now most likely to be used as it was in this August 1995 New Yorker magazine article about the death of musician Jerry Garcia: "It was suddenly obvious that Garcia had become, against all odds, an American icon: by Thursday morning, the avuncular old reprobate had smuggled his way onto the front pages of newspapers around the world."