Cemeteries were seldom placed on the north side of a church, which, if used for burial at all, was reserved for unbaptized children, criminals, reprobates and suicides. Rosemary Ellen Guiley
The original reprobates were hardened sinners who had fallen from God's grace. In time, their name was used outside of religious contexts for any person who behaves in a morally wrong way. In Late Latin, reprobare means "to disapprove" or "to condemn."
criticize implies finding fault especially with methods or policies or intentions.
criticized the police for using violence
reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.
reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students
censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.
a Senator formally censured by his peers
reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.
reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle
condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.
condemned the government's racial policies
denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.
a pastoral letter denouncing abortion
Example Sentences
Noun a program for rehabilitating hard-core reprobates and turning them into hard-working, law-abiding citizens Adjective a reprobate judge who could be bribed, and often with astonishing ease Verb the board will most likely reprobate the request for parole without hesitation she reprobated such an indecent idea
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The key to this gaslighting reprobate is that the group has become distracted. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 July 2022 This era of the Rolling Stones is the look every band strived for less than a decade later, when every unwashed reprobate on the Sunset Strip embraced the unkempt hair look that turned into glam rock. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 10 June 2022 Jack is variously described and self-described as a ne’er-do-well, a reprobate, a black sheep and a scoundrel. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 25 Sep. 2020 Today’s Rand movement is full of transgressors and reprobates. Alexander Sammon, The New Republic, 14 Aug. 2019 Joann Jimenez described reprobates as people who have been rejected by God.Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2019 Get our daily newsletter The scandal over Harvey Weinstein’s treatment of women, and over the other reprobates exposed in his wake, is changing Hollywood irrevocably.The Economist, 1 Mar. 2018 Baseball catches just a handful of reprobates each year. Michael Powell, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2017
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 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 While Brussels often pulls its punches on enforcing the rules, the stigma of being a fiscal pariah can be enough to rattle financial markets and push reprobate countries into compliance.Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019 Bryan Cranston gets wild as a free-spirited, reprobate bar owner. Chris Ball, cleveland.com, 4 Feb. 2018
Verb
Some of it was the sheer allure of mischief-making, the unrepentant reprobate being more compelling than the nice guy. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2021 Lemme hear from you reprobates who bet the rent money and lost. Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 28 Oct. 2019 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Late Latin reprobatus, past participle of reprobare — more at reprove