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

Democratic divisions haven’t disappeared El-Sayed, who would be the country’s first Muslim senator, has denounced antisemitism while fiercely criticizing Israel for its military operations in Gaza.

— Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
At least 10 high-profile Democrats have denounced the comments, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 26 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

Democrats pushed for El-Sayed to more directly condemn Piker and his comments, though El-Sayed framed the whole episode as a nonissue in the election.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Turkey and Saudi Arabia are particularly pleased that the SDF will be disbanded due to its historic relationship to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a group widely condemned as a terrorist organization.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 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

The report specifically faults the Ohio Department of Development's oversight, as well as actions by local affiliates, including the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network in Cleveland and Ohio State University South Centers in Piketon.

— CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Arnett doesn’t fault anyone for choosing a safer, more comfortable path, especially in this season of life.

— Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of fault

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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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of reprehend

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Synonyms of reprehend

verb

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