reprehensible
Loading your saved state.
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.
bad
'schlecht' and 'verwerflich' can both judge behavior as morally negative. 'schlecht' is much more general and can also describe quality, weather, or health. In its moral meaning, it simply means that something is not right or is evil. 'verwerflich' is stronger and more precise: it is used for actions or attitudes that you clearly disapprove of. It sounds more serious and is more suited to clear moral judgments.
Der Lehrer nennt es verwerflich, wenn jemand bei der Prüfung bewusst betrügt.
The teacher calls it reprehensible when someone deliberately cheats on an exam.
Es ist schlecht, jemanden absichtlich vor anderen lächerlich zu machen.
It is bad to deliberately make someone look ridiculous in front of others.