Words / C2

uh-PROHBR-ee-uh-m/əˈprəʊbriəm/

Opprobrium is strong public disapproval — blame with a stain of shame: attract opprobrium, widespread opprobrium. Criticism is everyday and can be fair comment; outrage is more emotional. The word is almost always for a public reaction, not a private telling-off. In speech, a storm of criticism or they were widely condemned; opprobrium is high formal style. Do not use it for a bad review of a restaurant.

Meaning

Public criticism and strong disapproval.

Examples

• “The decision attracted widespread opprobrium.”
• “The appointment attracted opprobrium from former colleagues.”
• “He seemed surprised by the opprobrium, which made it worse.”

Good to know

Public shame and blame. Everyday: widespread condemnation. Very formal; usually public, not private.

Near in meaning

condemnation

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