reprobate

American  

[rep-ruh-beyt] / ˈrɛp rəˌbeɪt /

noun

1. a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person.

   a drunken reprobate.

   Synonyms:

   cad, rascal, wretch, miscreant, wastrel, scoundrel, tramp, rogue

2. a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

   Synonyms:

   pariah, outcast

---

adjective

1. morally depraved; unprincipled; bad.

   Synonyms:

   corrupt, evil, sinful, wicked

2. rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

verb (used with object)

reprobated, reprobating

1. to disapprove, condemn, or censure.

   Synonyms:

   reprove, rebuke, blame, reprehend

2. (of God) to reject (a person), as for sin; exclude from the number of the elect or from salvation.

reprobate British  

/ ˈrɛprəʊˌbeɪt, ˈrɛprəbəsɪ /

adjective

1. morally unprincipled; depraved

2. Christianity destined or condemned to eternal punishment in hell

---

noun

1. an unprincipled, depraved, or damned person

2. a disreputable or roguish person

   the old reprobate

verb

1. to disapprove of; condemn

2. (of God) to destine, consign, or condemn to eternal punishment in hell

Other Word Forms

• reprobacy noun
• reprobateness noun
• reprobater noun
• unreprobated adjective

Etymology

Origin of reprobate

1400–50; late Middle English reprobaten < Latin reprobātus; past participle of reprobāre to reprove

Example Sentences

Castleberry can make you wonder which reprobate to care about most, which sin causes the most harm.

From Los Angeles Times

Someone who’s rich enough to buy an NBA franchise has the right to get away with being a reprobate and a bully.

From Washington Post

It's a bar-setting best for the series, if not TV generally, that also reminds us that we're rooting for absolute reprobates.

From Salon

Both of those reprobates have attracted a following of immense numbers of people — many who simply don't get it.

From Salon

It is not merely Falstaff she has in mind when demonstrating, in this healing adaptation, that even the worst old reprobates can be taught a lesson and welcomed back into the family.

From New York Times