reprehensible
Meaning: Deserving strong criticism or condemnation; morally wrong to a degree that demands censure.
Reprehensible is a powerful term of moral condemnation, stronger than 'unacceptable' or 'deplorable.' It is used in formal statements, judicial pronouncements, and editorial commentary to express that behaviour has crossed a clear ethical line. Common collocations include 'morally reprehensible,' 'utterly reprehensible,' and 'reprehensible conduct.' It is almost exclusively applied to actions or behaviour, rarely to people directly.
Examples
- The court described the defendant's conduct as morally reprehensible and without any mitigating factor. 法院将被告的行为描述为道德上应受谴责且无任何减轻情节。El tribunal calificó la conducta del acusado de moralmente reprehensible y carente de cualquier circunstancia atenuante.裁判所は被告の行為を道徳的に非難すべきものであり、いかなる酌量の余地もないと述べた。법원은 피고의 행위를 도덕적으로 비난받아 마땅하며 어떠한 참작 사유도 없다고 판시했다.
- The exploitation of vulnerable workers in such conditions is utterly reprehensible. 在这样的条件下剥削弱势劳动者的行为完全应受谴责。La explotación de trabajadores vulnerables en tales condiciones es absolutamente reprehensible.このような条件下で弱い立場の労働者を搾取することは全くもって非難に値する。이러한 조건하에서 취약한 노동자를 착취하는 것은 전적으로 비난받아 마땅하다.
- Several MPs called the minister's remarks reprehensible and demanded an immediate apology. 数名议员称该大臣的言论应受谴责,并要求其立即道歉。Varios diputados tacharon de reprehensibles las declaraciones del ministro y exigieron una disculpa inmediata.複数の議員が大臣の発言を非難すべきものとし、即時の謝罪を要求した。여러 의원이 장관의 발언을 비난받아 마땅한 것이라 칭하며 즉각적인 사과를 요구했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: legal, political, journalism
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From Late Latin reprehensibilis (deserving of blame), from Latin reprehendere (to hold back, blame, censure), from re- (back) and prehendere (to seize). Entered English in the late 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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