ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reprehensible

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɹɛpɹɪˈhɛnsəbəɫ// UK //ɹɪpɹɪhˈɛnsəbəl// rep·re·hen·si·ble

adj. describing behavior that is very bad and deserves strong criticism. You use this when someone does something that is clearly against the law or against what is right.

adj. deserving of strong disapproval or condemnation; morally wrong or illegal. Often used to describe actions that are socially unacceptable or violate established ethical standards.


SIMPLE

The company's behavior was completely reprehensible.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician's decision to accept bribes was a reprehensible act that led to his immediate resignation.

COMPLEX

While the individual's intentions may have been noble, the means he employed were so reprehensible that they overshadowed any potential positive outcome of the project.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Late Latin reprehensibilis, from Latin reprehendo; equivalent to reprehend + -ible.

© 2026 English Reference