Reprehensible
/ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnsəbl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Reprehensible means that an action or behavior is very wrong or bad and should be blamed or criticized by others. It is used when something is morally bad or unacceptable in society or personal values.
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See It in Action
Morally wrong or bad behavior that deserves blame
- •Stealing from others is reprehensible and unfair.
- •The company’s reprehensible actions caused harm to many people.
- •Lying to your friends is often seen as reprehensible behavior.
Something deserving strong criticism or disapproval
- •The politician’s reprehensible comments upset many voters.
- •His treatment of animals was called reprehensible by animal rights groups.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "reprehensible" like "bad," but MUCH stronger—it means the bad thing should be blamed or punished
- ✓Picture someone doing something clearly wrong, like cheating or lying, and others feeling upset or angry because of it
- ✓It's the feeling when you see unfair or dishonest behavior that makes you say, "That is not okay!"
- ✓Sounds like "rep-re-HEN-suh-bull" → imagine a hen (bird) that repeats bad behavior, so people scold it strongly
- ✓Think of stories where a villain does something wrong and the hero says, "That is reprehensible!"
- ✓NOT like "mistake" (which can be small and accidental), "reprehensible" means serious and blameworthy
- ✓NOT like "wrong" (general), "reprehensible" means wrong in a way that deserves strong criticism or punishment
Try Other Words
- •Wrong: not correct or fair (use when the action is incorrect but not very serious)
- •Unacceptable: not allowed or approved (use when behavior breaks rules or social norms)
- •Shameful: causing feelings of guilt or embarrassment (use when the action causes strong negative feelings)
- •Immoral: against moral rules (use when focusing on ethics or right and wrong)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "re-" (again or strongly) + root "prehens" from Latin "prehendere" (to grasp or take)
- •Suffix: "-ible" (able to be)
- •Etymology: From Latin "reprehendere," meaning to blame or criticize strongly
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s in English to describe actions deserving blame or criticism
- •Modern usage: Used in formal or serious contexts to describe actions that are morally wrong or bad and should be condemned
Reflect & Connect
•Can an action be wrong but not reprehensible? What makes something cross that line?
•How do cultural differences affect what people see as reprehensible behavior?
Fill in the blanks
1.Stealing money from a charity is considered reprehensible because it ___ trust and causes harm.
2.When someone acts reprehensible, people usually feel ___ and want to criticize them.
3.Unlike a small mistake, reprehensible behavior shows a serious ___ of moral rules.
4.The phrase "reprehensible conduct" is often used in ___ or formal discussions about ethics.
5.People often describe actions as reprehensible when they break ___ accepted by society.
6.Saying sorry is important after reprehensible actions because it shows ___ for the harm done.
7.Reprehensible behavior is different from simple errors because it usually involves ___ intent or carelessness.