What does reprehendable mean?
Reprehendable means deserving of blame, condemnation, or strong disapproval. It is a formal and emphatic adjective commonly used in legal, political, journalistic, and moral contexts, as in "reprehensible conduct" or "a reprehensible decision." Its tone is distinctly critical rather than merely neutral, making it stronger than words such as "unacceptable" and more openly censorious than "disagreeable." Although it most often refers to actions, behaviour, or conduct, it can also describe a person considered deserving of censure. Reprehendable is closely related to "reprehensible," though the latter has a particular association with something that is objectionable and deserving condemnation. Reprehendability is a somewhat less usual noun formed from the adjective, while "reprehendably" provides the corresponding adverb.
adjectiveDeserving blame or strong criticism; highly objectionable.
- Worthy of blame, censure, or strong disapproval.
"The committee condemned his reprehensible treatment of the witnesses."
"Such reprehendable behaviour would never be tolerated in a professional workplace."
"The newspaper described the decision as reprehensible, but the minister rejected the accusation."
Reprehendable grew from the Latin idea of pulling something back or holding it up for inspection before condemning it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reprehendable
The word comes through French from Latin reprehendere, formed from the prefix re- and prehendere, meaning "to grasp" or "seize." The Latin verb originally carried senses involving pulling back or restraining someone, and its meaning later developed toward seizing someone for correction or blame. English adopted "reprehend" with the sense of censuring or blaming, from which "reprehendable" was subsequently formed. The Latin root also survives in words such as comprehend, comprehensive, and reprehension.
Related word forms
How reprehendable is actually used
The word has a formal, strongly disapproving tone and is somewhat less common in everyday speech than words such as "wrong," "bad," or "objectionable." It can describe a person, action, conduct, or behaviour.
Easily confused with reprehendable
Both mean blameworthy, but reprehensible is especially common for actions or conduct that deserve condemnation, whereas reprehendable more directly means deserving of reproach.