reprehend

verb

ˌre-pri-ˈhend How to pronounce reprehend (audio)
Definition of reprehendnext
1
as in to denounce
to declare to be morally wrong or evil that denomination reprehends murder in any form, contending that the taking of life is never justified

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to criticize
to express one's unfavorable opinion of the worth or quality of without exception, book reviewers reprehended the novel's tired plot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb reprehend differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of reprehend are censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, and reprobate. While all these words mean "to find fault with openly," reprehend implies both criticism and severe rebuking.

reprehends the self-centeredness of today's students

Where would censure be a reasonable alternative to reprehend?

The synonyms censure and reprehend are sometimes interchangeable, but censure carries a strong suggestion of authority and of reprimanding.

a Senator formally censured by his peers

When would condemn be a good substitute for reprehend?

While in some cases nearly identical to reprehend, condemn usually suggests an unqualified and final unfavorable judgment.

condemned the government's racial policies

When can criticize be used instead of reprehend?

While the synonyms criticize and reprehend are close in meaning, 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 reprehend?

Denounce adds to condemn the implication of a public declaration.

a pastoral letter denouncing abortion

When is reprobate a more appropriate choice than reprehend?

The words reprobate and reprehend can be used in similar contexts, but reprobate implies strong disapproval or firm refusal to sanction.

reprobated his son's unconventional lifestyle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reprehend
  1. criticize
  2. condemn
  3. blame
  4. fault
Verb
  • Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.
    — Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Trump also signed an executive order targeting antisemitism, specifically condemning protests following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Several countries have condemned the violence in the strongest terms.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of condemn
Verb
  • The Democratic establishment’s focus on blaming Trump for those price spikes represents a stark break from its activists, who have launched a protest movement arguing that Trump is a budding dictator with no regard for the Constitution.
    — Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Recently, however, doctors have started reporting more cases of iodine-deficient hypothyroidism—and our salt preferences may be at least partially to blame.
    — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of blame
Verb
  • City audit led to changeover As for animal control, KC Pet Project sought that contract after a 2017 city audit had faulted the city-run animal control unit for being overly focused on issuing tickets to pet owners.
    — Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Hours earlier, the head of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association officers’ union, Steadman Stahl, faulted Hill for winding up on the ground while being handcuffed.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of fault
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Reprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprehend. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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