1
a
: morally corrupt : depraved
… con man or cad or your reprobate member … who makes a habit of lying, thieving, or … feasting off the public purse.—J. P. Donleavy
b
: foreordained to damnation
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a reprobate
reprobate conduct
3
: expressing or involving reprobation
4
archaic
: rejected as worthless or not standing a test : condemned
reprobated; reprobating
1
: to condemn strongly as unworthy, unacceptable, or evil
reprobating the laxity of the age
2
: to refuse to accept : reject
3
: to foreordain to damnation
Did you know?
The original reprobates were hardened sinners who had fallen from God's grace. In time, their name was used outside of religious contexts for any person who behaves in a morally wrong way. In Late Latin, reprobare means "to disapprove" or "to condemn."
Cite this Entry
“Reprobate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprobate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
