thoroughly reprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly reprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely deserving of condemnation or criticism. Example: "The actions taken by the company were thoroughly reprehensible, leading to widespread public outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

(Scott) 'SHOOTER' (R, 126 2:06Muscles) Muscles bulge and heads explode in this thoroughly reprehensible, satisfyingly violent entertainment about men and guns and things that go boom.

The New York Times

By far the most shocking thing was that McBride was a civil servant at the time, acting in a highly political and thoroughly reprehensible manner.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crowds of adults watching shows in Covent Garden and Bartholomew Fair in London would laugh and tut at Punch, a thoroughly reprehensible character who is known for hitting his wife and his baby over the head with a stick.

Independent

Further, it has yet to utter a peep in response to Sen. John Ensign's (R-NV) thoroughly reprehensible and despicable conduct.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To put it bluntly, looking at the court record, he evidently sexually assaulted a 13-year old girl, a thoroughly unacceptable and reprehensible act.

Huffington Post

In the last analysis, it is a reprehensible political action which ought be thoroughly and promptly rejected by the House.

The New York Times

One prim footnote reads: "We do not thoroughly comprehend the author's drift in the foregoing paragraph, but are inclined to think its tone reprehensible, and its tendency impolitic in the present stage of our national difficulties".

The New York Times

But if the Church of England is going to remain a thoroughly inclusive church it must stretch every limb to include even those who hold such (to my mind, reprehensible) views.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is reprehensible".

The New York Times

It's reprehensible".

The New Yorker

Was that equally reprehensible?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "thoroughly reprehensible", ensure that the context clearly establishes the ethical or moral basis for your judgment to amplify the impact of your critique.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly reprehensible" in trivial or commonplace situations. The phrase carries a strong moral condemnation, and its overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for instances where serious ethical or moral boundaries have been crossed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly reprehensible" functions as an evaluative adjective phrase, used to express strong disapproval or moral condemnation. Ludwig identifies its use across various contexts, emphasizing the severity of the action or behavior being described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly reprehensible" is a potent phrase used to express strong moral disapproval, predominantly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its purpose as a strong condemnation of actions or behaviors violating ethical standards. While effective for conveying outrage, it's crucial to reserve this phrase for situations where the severity of the offense warrants such strong language. Consider alternatives like "utterly deplorable" or "completely unacceptable" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overuse in trivial situations to maintain its impact. The phrase should be paired with direct context to make the message clearer and more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly deplorable

Replaces "thoroughly" with "utterly" and "reprehensible" with "deplorable", both intensifying the negative connotation.

completely unacceptable

Shifts focus from moral condemnation to a lack of permissibility.

entirely inexcusable

Emphasizes the lack of justification for an action or behavior.

absolutely appalling

Highlights the shocking and offensive nature of something.

morally repugnant

Specifically focuses on the moral aspect, suggesting a strong aversion.

deeply objectionable

Indicates a strong disagreement or opposition, often on ethical grounds.

patently wrong

Stresses the obvious and undeniable nature of the wrongness.

wholly unethical

Focuses solely on the breach of ethical principles.

thoroughly distasteful

Conveys strong dislike and aversion.

genuinely outrageous

Emphasizes the extreme and shocking nature of the action.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "thoroughly reprehensible"?

Use "thoroughly reprehensible" when you want to express strong disapproval or moral condemnation of an action or behavior. It's suitable for situations involving significant ethical or moral violations.

What are some alternatives to "thoroughly reprehensible"?

Alternatives include "utterly deplorable", "completely unacceptable", or "entirely inexcusable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thoroughly reprehensible" too formal for casual writing?

Yes, "thoroughly reprehensible" is relatively formal and carries a strong negative connotation. It's generally more appropriate for formal writing, news reporting, or situations where you want to emphasize the seriousness of an ethical violation. Use a less severe phrase in casual contexts.

Can "thoroughly reprehensible" be used to describe minor offenses?

While grammatically correct, using "thoroughly reprehensible" for minor offenses would be an overstatement. It's best reserved for situations where there is a significant breach of ethical or moral standards.