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Synonyms

reprehensible

American  
[rep-ri-hen-suh-buhl] / ˌrɛp rɪˈhɛn sə bəl /

adjective

  1. deserving of reproof, rebuke, or censure; blameworthy.

    Synonyms:
    culpable
    Antonyms:
    praiseworthy

reprehensible British  
/ ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsəbəl /

adjective

  1. open to criticism or rebuke; blameworthy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of reprehensible

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin reprehēnsibilis, equivalent to Latin reprehēns ( us ) (past participle of reprehendere to reprehend ) + -ibilis -ible

Explanation

Reprehensible means deserving of blame or strong criticism. It is a strong word — your mother might forgive you for doing something bad, but something reprehensible? That's worse. If a politician steals funds that are meant to provide care for the elderly, that's reprehensible! Near synonyms of this adjective are "blameworthy" and "culpable." The word reprehensible is from Middle English, from Latin reprehensus, plus the suffix -ibilis, "deserving of, capable of." If someone is reprehended, they are blamed or strongly criticized.

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Vocabulary lists containing reprehensible

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The majority underscores that they find the President’s statements reprehensible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

Thoreau believed slavery was morally reprehensible, and refused to pay a poll tax supporting the government that allowed it.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

‘Regardless of whether or not the move is legal, it is certainly disgraceful, despicable, reprehensible, loathsome, outrageous and just plain truly pathetic,’ writes an L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

"The smears being thrown against her are reprehensible and hypocritical," Rupert McNeil, former head of HR at the Civil Service said recently.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

She could only imagine, however, at last, that she drew his notice because there was a something about her more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of right, than in any other person present.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

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