reprehensible

[ rep-ri-hen-suh-buhl ]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: culpable

   Antonyms: praiseworthy

reprehensible

/ ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsəbəl /

adjective

1. open to criticism or rebuke; blameworthy

Derived Forms

• ˌrepreˌhensiˈbility, noun
• ˌrepreˈhensibly, adverb

Other Words From

• repre·hensi·bili·ty repre·hensi·ble·ness noun
• repre·hensi·bly adverb
• nonrep·re·hensi·bili·ty noun
• nonrep·re·hensi·ble adjective
• nonrep·re·hensi·ble·ness noun
• nonrep·re·hensi·bly adverb
• unrep·re·hensi·ble adjective
• unrep·re·hensi·ble·ness noun
• unrep·re·hensi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprehensible¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprehensible¹

C14: from Late Latin reprehensibilis , from Latin reprehendere to hold back, reprove; see reprehend

Example Sentences

The intentional decision of policymakers to prioritize the wellbeing of a previable fetus with a beating heart over the wellbeing of the pregnant person is not just medically incorrect, it is socially reprehensible with dire consequences.

From Time

Fourth, let’s get to why the connection to Brown is so morally reprehensible.

From Time

The new Bluebook citation rule shines a light on this practice, forcing lawyers in search of precedent to find some not entangled with the reprehensible human trafficking that has riven the Western Hemisphere since 1619.

From Washington Post

His behavior is reprehensible, but his charisma is undeniable.

From Time

The society may now remove someone from a bird’s name if they played a role in “reprehensible events.”

From Science News For Students

What an alternately messed up, irresistibly catchy, reprehensible, utterly charming holiday classic.

From The Daily Beast

None of this makes what Incognito and the Dolphins did any less reprehensible.

From The Daily Beast

The latest documents make the four days of closings seem all the more reckless and reprehensible.

From The Daily Beast

But he described the “very personal insults” directed at the two air hostesses and pilot “as nothing short of reprehensible.”

From The Daily Beast

Then again, some of them doubtless think it reprehensible that he speak at a memorial service for an old "communist".

From The Daily Beast

His life and conduct subsequently was extremely imprudent and reprehensible.

From Project Gutenberg

"Yes; and it was a very reprehensible affair, I think," Mrs. Courtney answered stiffly.

From Project Gutenberg

This insolent conduct was specially reprehensible in the case of Grenville, who owed his advancement to Bute's recommendation.

From Project Gutenberg

"That's only amateurish and besides reprehensible," said the Tennessee Shad.

From Project Gutenberg

Pandora's raiment, I grieve to state, has slipped down about her waist in a manner exceedingly reprehensible.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• culpable
• disgraceful
• objectionable
• sinful