REPREHEND Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

reprehend

verb

ˌre-pri-ˈhend

Definition of reprehend

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Verb

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) was blindsided on Tuesday when two members of his caucus voted with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to put a resolution denouncing socialism on the floor for a full vote.

— Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
During the news conference, Sheinbaum denounced the idea that the music contest was a form of censorship.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of denounce

Verb

The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

There, the tyrannical February has condemned its inhabitants to eternal winter and forbids them from flying, while a masked resistance movement known as The Solution fights to restore light and freedom.

— Alexandra Patterson, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
His government has consistently avoided criticizing Morocco, but Sánchez condemned comments from two Moroccan ministers questioning the sovereignty of Ceuta and Melilla, another Spain's other territory in North Africa.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of condemn

Verb

Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
That war ended in a humiliating defeat by an enemy regarded as much weaker, and many tsarist officials blamed the outcome on Japanese spies and saboteurs.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of blame

Verb

Wiener defended the narrower bill and argued opponents were faulting it for not going far enough rather than focusing on what the bill would do.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Critics have faulted Meta over many of its safety features that users have to manually turn on, or opt into themselves.

— Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

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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repossessions

reprehend

reprehended

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“Reprehend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reprehend. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reprehend

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Synonyms of reprehend

verb

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