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Reprobate Meaning

A reprobate is someone seen as morally corrupt, shameless, or thoroughly disreputable. It is not a mild word. It sounds like a judge, a preacher, and a disappointed aunt all agreed on the same insult.

Quick answer

Reprobate means a morally bad or disreputable person. It often sounds old-fashioned, stern, and a little theatrical.

At a glance

Meaning
A reprobate is an immoral, unprincipled, or shamelessly disreputable person.
Pronunciation
REP-ruh-bayt
Part of speech
Noun; sometimes adjective
Tone
stern, old-fashioned, morally judgmental
Formality
formal or literary
Best used for
moral criticism, literary insults, old-fashioned character labels
Category
Silly Insults and Character Types

How to say it

Pronounced
REP-ruh-bayt
Syllables
3
IPA
/ˈrɛprəbeɪt/
Tip
Say it slowly first, then let the main stress land where the capital letters appear.
Starting letter
R

Meaning in plain English

In plain English, a reprobate is a person whose behavior seems bad, irresponsible, or morally rotten. The word can be serious, but it also has a grand old-fashioned sound that makes it useful in comic or literary writing.

Tone, context, and nuance

Reprobate is stronger than rascal and more moral than troublemaker. It is suitable for fiction, essays, and humorous condemnation. In everyday speech, it can sound deliberately dramatic, so use it when that extra force is the point.

Word origin

Reprobate comes from Latin roots meaning rejected or disapproved. Older religious use could refer to someone rejected from salvation; modern use usually means a morally disreputable person.

Example sentences

  • Simple: The reprobate lied, stole, and laughed about it.
  • Everyday: He called his younger brother a reprobate after the prank ruined breakfast.
  • Writing: The novel’s reprobate arrives in silk gloves and leaves with everyone’s money.
  • Nuance: Reprobate sounds harsher than rascal because it judges character, not just behavior.
  • Awkward: "The printer is a reprobate." Better: "The printer is a menace."

Common mistakes

  • Making it too mild: A reprobate is not just annoying; the word suggests bad morals or serious disreputability.
  • Using it in casual professional writing: It can sound judgmental or theatrical in workplace contexts.
  • Confusing it with probation: The words look related in shape, but reprobate does not mean someone on probation.
  • Missing the adjective use: Reprobate can also describe behavior, as in “reprobate conduct,” though that sounds formal.

Similar words and differences

scoundrel
Dishonorable and old-fashioned, but slightly less morally severe.
blackguard
Archaic and insulting, with a contemptuous tone.
villain
More familiar and often tied to stories or clear wrongdoing.
knave
Literary and roguish, often less severe.
miscreant
A wrongdoer; formal but still understandable.

Opposite words

upright person, saint, decent person, moral example, innocent

Word family

Related forms include reprobacy and reprobation, though both are rare. Reprobate can also work as an adjective meaning morally corrupt or rejected.

Writing tip

Use reprobate when you want a strong, old-fashioned moral insult. If you only mean “annoying person,” choose nuisance, troublemaker, or rascal instead.

Common questions

  • What does reprobate mean in simple words? Reprobate means an immoral or disreputable person.
  • Is reprobate an insult? Yes. It is a strong, old-fashioned insult that criticizes someone’s character.
  • Is reprobate formal or informal? It sounds formal, literary, or deliberately old-fashioned.
  • How do you pronounce reprobate? Reprobate is pronounced REP-ruh-bayt.
  • What is another word for reprobate? Similar words include scoundrel, villain, blackguard, knave, and miscreant.

Editorial note

Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 14, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.