Synonyms of reprobate

reprobate 1 of 3

adjective

as in corrupt

having or showing lowered moral character or standards

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• corrupt
• degraded
• sick
• depraved
• degenerate
• crooked
• dissolute
• perverted
• loose
• debauched
• debased
• decadent
• libertine
• rakish
• warped
• demoralized
• dishonest
• unclean
• perverse
• unwholesome
• spoiled
• vicious
• wicked
• dissipated
• evil
• rakehell
• immoral
• jackleg
• unprincipled
• bad
• unscrupulous
• sinful
• bent
• unethical
• contaminated
• cutthroat
• tainted
• nefarious
• iniquitous
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pure
• incorruptible
• uncorrupted
• ethical
• uncorrupt
• honest
• righteous
• moral
• principled
• virtuous
• good

reprobate

2 of 3

noun

as in villain

a mean, evil, or unprincipled person

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• villain
• brute
• criminal
• savage
• offender
• devil
• monster
• scoundrel
• wretch
• rascal
• knave
• scapegrace
• rogue
• beast
• miscreant
• scalawag
• bandit
• thug
• assassin
• gangster
• scamp
• loser
• caitiff
• no-good
• evildoer
• varlet
• rapscallion
• hound
• crook
• heavy
• fiend
• nazi
• perpetrator
• sinner
• baddie
• blackguard
• meanie
• trespasser
• snake
• felon
• transgressor
• lawbreaker
• villainess
• wrongdoer
• convict
• outlaw
• malefactor
• culprit
• viper
• cad
• perp
• racketeer
• ruffian
• jailbird
• serpent
• con
• heel
• hoodlum
• desperado
• hooligan
• rough
• lowlife
• tough
• rowdy
• cutthroat
• goon
• gunman
• stinker
• trash
• bravo
• ne'er-do-well

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocent
• hero
• angel
• saint

reprobate

3 of 3

verb

ˈre-prə-ˌbāt 

1

as in to reject

to be unwilling to grant

the board will most likely reprobate the request for parole

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reject
• deny
• refuse
• decline
• disapprove
• withhold
• disallow
• negative
• veto
• proscribe
• forbid
• enjoin
• keep
• nix
• ban
• restrain
• prohibit
• repel
• spurn
• curb
• restrict
• rebuff
• check
• hinder
• hold
• repress
• constrain
• obstruct
• balk (at)
• impede

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permit
• let
• grant
• concede
• furnish
• allow
• provide
• supply
• give
• afford
• OK
• agree (to)
• authorize
• license
• consent (to)
• warrant
• sanction
• accede (to)
• acquiesce
• commission
• assent (to)
• accord
• vouchsafe

2

as in to refuse

to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

without hesitation she reprobated such an indecent idea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reject
• refuse
• decline
• deny
• ignore
• repudiate
• spurn
• pass
• pass up
• disapprove
• avoid
• turn down
• withdraw
• dismiss
• veto
• dispute
• throw over
• negative
• balk (at)
• throw out
• scorn
• disdain
• deselect
• forbid
• nix
• scout
• rebuff
• blow off
• proscribe
• renounce
• overrule
• disavow
• forbear
• shoot down
• gainsay
• recall
• turn one's back on
• disown
• retract
• refute
• prohibit
• recant
• abjure
• refrain (from)
• revoke
• disagree (with)
• contradict
• take back
• abstain (from)
• stick
• unsay
• disclaim
• bypass
• forswear
• detour
• disprove
• controvert
• back down
• disallow
• renege
• back off
• negate
• backtrack
• rebut

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agree (to)
• accept
• approve
• tolerate
• receive
• adopt
• swallow
• condone
• countenance
• take
• welcome
• embrace
• acquiesce
• agree
• accede
• choose
• select
• consent
• assent
• support
• espouse
• handpick

3

as in to denounce

to declare to be morally wrong or evil

spent much of her talk reprobating the callous indifference of a materialistic society to the suffering of people in the third world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• denounce
• condemn
• blame
• criticize
• attack
• decry
• censure
• execrate
• anathematize
• damn
• reprehend
• convict
• fault
• sentence
• excommunicate
• hate
• doom
• pan
• ostracize
• disparage
• rake
• chastise
• rebuke
• upbraid
• deprecate
• knock
• admonish
• scold
• belittle
• detest
• berate
• slam
• dispraise
• reproach
• chide
• reprimand
• abhor
• dis
• revile
• blast
• reprove
• vituperate
• loathe
• blacklist
• castigate
• abominate
• curse
• imprecate
• lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• bless
• sanction
• endorse
• praise
• exalt
• glorify
• commend
• salute
• applaud
• hail
• honor
• extol
• sanctify
• laud
• consecrate
• eulogize
• tout
• revere
• acclaim
• venerate
• hallow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprobate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reprobate are censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, and reprehend. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

When would censure be a good substitute for reprobate?

The words censure and reprobate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When could condemn be used to replace reprobate?

The synonyms condemn and reprobate are sometimes interchangeable, but condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

Where would criticize be a reasonable alternative to reprobate?

The words criticize and reprobate can be used in similar contexts, but criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.

criticized the police for using violence

How are the words denounce and condemn related as synonyms of reprobate?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When might reprehend be a better fit than reprobate?

While in some cases nearly identical to reprobate, reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reprobate

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

For reference, consider the late, reprobate Southwest Conference. — Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 13 Jan. 2020

Noun

That pair of reprobates retired from politics due to ill health. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025

Like many of Anderson’s protagonists, Gustave is a reprobate of the first order, romancing old ladies for their fortunes and such. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025

Verb

Gasoline is dirty, smelly, toxic, and environmentally reprobate. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2026

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