1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

opprobrious

adjective

ə-ˈprō-brē-əs How to pronounce opprobrious (audio)
Definition of opprobriousnext
1
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language an opprobrious attack on the alleged corruption in the police department

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in notorious
not respectable contends that visiting a brothel is the sort of opprobrious conduct for which a public official should be censured

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for opprobrious
  1. abusive
  2. notorious
  3. insulting
  4. infamous
  5. outrageous
  6. criminal
  7. obscene
  8. shady
Adjective
  • Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.
    — Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Before her death, Flowers had told numerous family members and co-workers that Plummer was physically abusive toward her, Freeman said.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • Krieps played the notorious wife of a Nazi concentration camp commander, Ilsa Koch, who was said to torture prisoners and make household objects out of human skin.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Andrew was notorious for his tight-fistedness, despite his wealth.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of notorious
Adjective
  • Some job seekers say AI interviews can feel impersonal, stilted, and downright insulting.
    — Sarah Jackson Juhohn Lee, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Even more insulting was the cold, transactional nature of the intrusion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • So, yes — 36 years later, that infamous week is still fresh one everyone's minds.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • All of it makes for a dramatic telling of the infamous murders, but Murphy’s version departs significantly from what is known about the actual events.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of infamous
Adjective
  • Part true crime, part tall tale, this is a story about friendship, outrageous antics, betrayal, and a whole lot of weed.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Winning the biggest tournaments in tennis is usually about coming up with some outrageous forehands and backhand and serves in the biggest moments.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Both raised concerns about the 2024 version, telling state lawmakers that the universities could face criminal penalties, civil fines or the loss of federal contracts.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • To spoil more of the joke’s punch lines would be criminal, but rest assured her son eventually confronts her about it.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Banners unfurled at off-campus houses ranged from the profane to the obscene.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Georgia Bulldog logo has showed up for years on hats, shirts and pennants, but the state Board of Regents has decided that the appearance of the familiar canine on toilet seats and obscene posters is going too far.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Beyond the shimmying visit, the mystery of who killed Victor is expected to motor the sophomore season’s overarching storyline, including digging into people from the corrupt politician’s shady past.
    — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Because in a state whose government is supposed to be blessed with sunshine 365 days a year, Hope Florida is shady as heck.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of shady
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

oppressors
opprobrious
opprobrium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opprobrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opprobrious. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All