What does exprobrate mean?
Exprobrate is a rare, formal English verb meaning to reproach or upbraid — that is, to rebuke someone sharply for a fault or failing. Derived from the Latin exprobrare, formed from ex- ('out') plus probrum ('disgrace, shameful deed'), it literally suggests casting disgrace upon another. The word belongs to the same family as reprobate and probate, all descending from the Latin root probare, 'to test or prove'. Exprobrate appears most often in elevated literary prose and older writing rather than everyday speech; a writer who reaches for it signals a deliberate, learned tone. In practice it functions much like reproach, rebuke, or censure, usually taking as its object the person being scolded rather than the offense itself. Though seldom encountered today, it survives as a precise and colorful alternative to more ordinary words for blame.
verbTo reproach or upbraid someone; to express strong disapproval of a person or their actions.
- To reproach, upbraid, or censure a person for something; to cast blame upon.
"The old tutor did not hesitate to exprobrate the young scholar for his careless translation of the Latin text."
"The editorial went on to exprobrate the council for its years of fiscal mismanagement."
"Rather than exprobrate her assistant publicly, she took him aside and explained his error."
Exprobrate is the rare, Latin-flavored cousin of 'rebuke' — so obscure it survives mostly in the pages of unabridged dictionaries, waiting for someone bold enough to use it in an argument.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exprobrate
Exprobrate comes from the Latin exprobrare, meaning to reproach or upbraid, built on probrum, 'a disgraceful deed', from the root probare, 'to test, prove, or approve'. It entered English in the early modern period alongside other Latinate verbs such as approbate and reprobate, which share the same root. Its noun form, exprobration, likewise descends from the Latin exprobratio.
Related word forms
How exprobrate is actually used
Exprobrate is a rare and highly formal word, found chiefly in older literary prose and unabridged dictionaries; in modern usage it carries a deliberately archaic or learned flavor. It typically takes the person reproached as its direct object.
Easily confused with exprobrate
A reprobate is a noun meaning an unprincipled or morally corrupt person, whereas exprobrate is a verb meaning to rebuke or reproach someone.