Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to reprehend

to reprehend

1 9.4
Tell someone firmly that their actions are wrong
  • verb
  • /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnd/
  • Formal
translation icon : reprender
  • The normative intent of these words is evident in light of the ancillary expressions used by the narrator, 17 and especially the terms in which others repeatedly reprehend Don Quijote in Part II of the novel.

Examples

  • And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream, gentles, do not reprehend:

    Return with Honor (1999)

  • Gentles, do not reprehend.

    A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

  • I merely reprehend with sadness.

    Blog text (10)

  • I reprehend his politics.

    Blog text (24)

  • Gentles, do not reprehend.

    A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

  • Sure, if I reprehend anything in this world, it is the use of my oracular tongue and a nice derangement of epitaphs!

    Blog text (29)

  • Pardon me for reprehending thee, for thou hast done a charitable deed.

    Titus (1999)

  • GENTLES, DO NOT REPREHEND.

    Dead Poets Society (1989)

  • Chapter 15 of Vives' De Institutione feminae christianae (1523) is devoted to reprehending dancing.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The teacher was obliged to reprehend the student's behavior after he disrupted the class.

Synonyms

to chastise
vsto reprehend
  • Formal
33 7.6

To scold someone strongly for doing something wrong

focuses on strong disapproval or criticism rather than punishment
to reprimand
vsto reprehend
  • Formal
33 6.1

To tell someone they did something wrong, usually by a person in charge

is used more generally and not only by authority figures
to reproach
vsto reprehend
8 6.5

To tell someone you are disappointed in what they did

is stronger and expresses clear severe disapproval not mere disappointment
to reprove
vsto reprehend
5 7.3

Tell someone gently that what they did was wrong

is stronger showing firm or harsh criticism rather than gentle advice
to reprobate
vsto reprehend
  • Literature
9.4

To say strongly that someone or something is wrong

is used for general strong criticism and not only formal condemnation

Antonyms

to commend
67 4.4

To praise someone or something for good work

How Strongly

to berate
36 7.2
to reprehend
  • Formal
1 9.4
to admonish
31 6.8
to criticize
701 3.3

Surface Forms

reprehend infinitive
reprehended past
reprehended past participle
reprehending present participle
reprehends third person singular

Etymology

The word reprehend comes from old parts re- meaning 'back' and prehendere meaning 'to take', and it shares the same root as apprehend 'to catch'. So to reprehend someone is like 'taking hold' of them to blame or scold, which is why it means to criticize or rebuke.