reprobate 1 of 3

reprobate

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noun

reprobate

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verb

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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

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.
Recent Examples of reprobate
Adjective
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
Noun
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 No decent person, let alone a political movement downstream of the biblical, Judeo-Christian tradition, as American conservatism necessarily is, should lift a finger to welcome such a wretched reprobate to our shores or shield him from justice. Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reprobate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprobate
Adjective
  • In one of many tonally jarring subplots, Vince works out a scam to burn down his dead mother’s house in Brooklyn to collect the insurance money with the help of a corrupt fire marshal.
    Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The writer became inspired to counteract his complicity in a corrupt system.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Currently, Wiig is in her villain era.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • With Ka-young’s help, Iblis is able to destroy the Flower of Eternal Life, which had allowed Khalid to live forever (at least until this point), and the villain fades to dust.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The letter also called for the return of mandatory standardized testing in university admissions and for universities to report the anonymous scores and grades of accepted and rejected students.
    Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In a June ruling, a three-judge Kansas Court of Appeals panel rejected Kobach’s arguments in no uncertain terms.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • My adoptive parents had refused to allow contact or send pictures, and didn’t tell me about her attempt to communicate with us for years after the fact.
    Nicole Chung, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Federal officials refused to return him, accusing him of being a gang member, despite judges’ orders that he should be sent back to the United States.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The age of the Ayatollahs After the fall of the Shah in January 1979, the nascent Islamic Republic denounced his aggressive modernization drive inspired by the West.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, UNC denounced political violence and vowed to investigate Dixon’s involvement in the organization.
    Julia Bonavita , Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • At the same time, suicide-attack FPVs incorporate AI navigation for autonomous terminal guidance under degraded control.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Under her leadership, the NYBG’s research team has expanded to 81 projects across 79 countries to conserve disappearing plant species, restore degraded ecosystems, and breed crops to withstand drought, sea level rise and extreme heat under climate change.
    Eduardo Garcia, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An extermination of the brutes in the Middle East, presided over by Obama’s successors, has been followed by a swift cancellation by Trumpian decree of the postracial age.
    Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Each fits into typical RPG classes — with Armon being the close combat brute, Harlow the magical crowd control specialist, Rafa the agile rogue, and Vex serving as a summoner who calls on minions to do the dirty work.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Republicans argue Democrats want to fund health care for immigrants in the country illegally, a claim Democrats deny.
    Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Once there, she was assigned a bare mattress on the floor and denied religious accommodations, including Halal meals, her lawyers said.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reprobate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprobate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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