Standard Lemma guide

reprehend

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌɹɛpɹəˈhɛnd/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To criticize, to reprove.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The teacher did not hesitate to reprehend students for cheating.
  • Critics reprehended the company for its unethical practices.
  • publicly reprehend
  • severely reprehend
  • reprehend misconduct

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

express strong disapproval of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: knock, criticize, criticise, pick apart

History

Etymology

From Latin reprehendō (“I hold back, check, blame”), from re- (“back”) + prehendō (“I hold, seize”). Compare French reprendre (“to reprove”).

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: dadle — to criticise
  • German: monieren — to criticise
  • Māori: whakahēhē — to criticise
  • Spanish: reprehender — to criticise
  • Spanish: reprender — to criticise
  • Swedish: tadla — to criticise