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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

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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
  • Many viewers left that film unconvinced Rockwell’s abusive cop deserved the redemption he was given.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Reminiscent of the discussions around Michael Jackson’s upbringing, this Lanterns episode has sparked specific conversations about parenting Black boys and children into greatness, and what actions constitute abusive or unhealthy parenting.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 4 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
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • However, only Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin, a security chief infamous for his brutality, is likely to face execution, the rest having been tried in absentia.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Related Stories While driving through the snowy darkness one night, the courier comes face to the face with the results of a contagion — the Umbrella Corporation’s infamous T-virus — and chaos ensues.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 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
  • Initially arrested and charged in connection with Houston’s death in fall 2025, Franklin has also been charged in two additional criminal incidents.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The probe echoes investigations into the deaths of actor Matthew Perry and rapper Mac Miller, both of which resulted in criminal charges for their respective drug suppliers.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • Last year, after signing a $132 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a trade, he was docked another $26,000 for fighting and making an obscene gesture.
    — Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • There was a dog’s leg that had been sewn on near a man’s crotch in a way that seemed like an obscene visual pun.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 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
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Cite this Entry

“Opprobrious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opprobrious. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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