reprobate

[ rep-ruh-beyt ]

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)

, rep·ro·bat·ed, rep·ro·bat·ing.

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• reprobacy, noun
• ˈreproˌbater, noun

Other Words From

• rep·ro·ba·cy [rep, -r, uh, -b, uh, -see], repro·bateness noun
• repro·bater noun
• un·repro·bated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprobate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprobate¹

C16: from Late Latin reprobātus held in disfavour, from Latin re- + probāre to approve ¹

Example Sentences

In a meeting with donors on Monday evening, Biden did not hold back, describing Trump as a "convicted felon" who is "unhinged" and "snapped" after being defeated in the 2020 election, which then inspired the reprobate ex-president to attempt a coup on Jan. 6.

From Salon

A pious woman beats the hell out of her reprobate husband after he gets a giant tattoo of Jesus on his back.

From New York Times

The media are already ballyhooing about how Trump's indictment for the crimes of Jan. 6 is truly "historic" and "unprecedented" in American history and that the "walls have closed in" on the reprobate ex-president.

From Salon

To that point, in response to his impending indictment and arrest for the crimes of Jan. 6, Trump is behaving like an unrepentant reprobate, as he rants and throws a fit on his Truth Social disinformation platform.

From Salon

The frontrunner appeared on CNN for a very friendly town hall and reminded everyone just what an unfit reprobate he is, causing the media to spend hours revisiting everything the majority of the country hates about him.

From Salon