What does "opprobrium" mean?
A cause, object, or situation of disgrace or shame.
Opprobrium
/əˈpɹəʊ.bɹɪ.əm/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A cause, object, or situation of disgrace or shame.
- Grammar: opprobrium is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abuse, calumny, censure, condemnation.
- Useful contrasts: admiration, applause, approval.
- Usage evidence: The candidate became the target of growing opprobrium as his past misdeeds came to light.
How to use "opprobrium"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "opprobrium" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "opprobrium" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "opprobrium" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "opprobrium" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "opprobrium" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abuse" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "opprobrium", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A cause, object, or situation of disgrace or shame. archaic, countable
"As there are certain malignant diseases which have been denominated the opprobria of medicine, so there are particular maladies of our social condition, which may be considered the opprobria of legislation. Amongst the most inveterate of these are the poor laws."
- 2 a state of extreme dishonor wordnet
- 3 Disgrace or bad reputation arising from exceedingly shameful behaviour; ignominy. countable, uncountable
"Let me add that it is the great deſideratum, by which alone this form of government can be reſcued from the opprobrium under which it has ſo long labored, and be recommended to the eſteem and adoption of mankind."
- 4 state of disgrace resulting from public abuse wordnet
- 5 Scornful contempt or reproach; (countable) an instance of this. countable, uncountable
"[…]from that strict rectitude in which I have been accustomed to walk and to view my actions, and which, notwithstanding the unjust opprobrium cast upon me, I find to be an invincible support and shield."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Behaviour which is disgraceful or shameful. archaic, countable, uncountable
Antonyms
Example
"The candidate became the target of growing opprobrium as his past misdeeds came to light."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "opprobrium"?
Common synonyms include: abuse, calumny, censure, condemnation, contempt, contumely.
How do you use "opprobrium" in a sentence?
The candidate became the target of growing opprobrium as his past misdeeds came to light.
How do you pronounce "opprobrium"?
Pronounced /əˈpɹəʊ.bɹɪ.əm/.
Etymology
PIE word *h₁epi Learned borrowing from Latin opprobrium, obprobrium (“a reproach, a taunt; disgrace, shame; dishonour; scandal”, noun), from opprobrō, obprobrō (“to reproach, upbraid; to taunt”) + -ium (suffix forming abstract nouns). Opprobrō, obprobrō are derived from ob- (prefix meaning ‘against’) + probrum (“disgrace, shame; abuse, insult”, noun) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pro- (“forward; toward”) + *bʰer- (“to bear, carry”), in the sense of something brought up to reproach a person). The plural form opprobria is borrowed from Latin opprobria. Cognates * French opprobre * Italian obbrobrio * Portuguese ouprobio (obsolete), opróbrio * Spanish oprobrio (obsolete), oprobio