reprehensible
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reprehensible
Morally strongly objectionable and blameworthy. The term describes actions or attitudes that violate fundamental ethical principles.
Es ist moralisch verwerflich, die Gutgläubigkeit älterer Menschen auszunutzen.
It is morally reprehensible to take advantage of the gullibility of older people.
The adjective 'verwerflich' (reprehensible) is derived from the verb 'verwerfen' (to reject), which means 'ablehnen' (to refuse/reject) or 'zurückweisen' (to reject/repel). A reprehensible action is therefore one that should be rejected on moral grounds.
Sein Verhalten wurde von allen als zutiefst verwerflich angesehen.
His behavior was regarded by everyone as deeply reprehensible.
'Verwerflich' (reprehensible) is a very strong and judgmental word that is not used for everyday mistakes. It describes serious moral or ethical violations and is often used in formal language.
Die Ausbeutung von Arbeitskräften ist ethisch verwerflich.
The exploitation of workers is ethically reprehensible.
'Verwerflich' (reprehensible) often describes abstract nouns such as 'Handlung' (action), 'Tat' (deed), 'Gedanke' (thought), or 'Gesinnung' (attitude/conviction). It is also often combined with adverbs such as 'moralisch' (morally), 'ethisch' (ethically), or 'zutiefst' (deeply) to strengthen the criticism.
Er hatte den verwerflichen Plan, seine Partnerin zu betrügen.
He had the reprehensible plan of cheating on his partner.
contemptuous
Both words express a negative judgment, but verwerflich describes an action or attitude as morally very wrong. Verächtlich, on the other hand, primarily expresses disdain or a condescending attitude. Use verwerflich for an ethical judgment and verächtlich to express contempt.
Viele Menschen finden es verwerflich, eine hilflose Person absichtlich zu täuschen.
Many people consider it reprehensible to deliberately deceive someone who is helpless.
Er sah den neuen Kollegen verächtlich an, weil er dessen Meinung nicht ernst nahm.
He looked contemptuously at the new colleague because he did not take their opinion seriously.
