Opprobrium

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Opprobrium?

noun
Harsh criticism or public disgrace arising from shameful conduct.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /əˈproʊ.briəm/
UK pronunciation: /əˈprəʊ.brɪ.əm/
Slow pronunciation: uh-PROH-bree-um

Meaning Explained

Opprobrium nombra el peso social de la reprobación: censura pública con tinte moral.

Why This Word?

Elegida para distinguir crítica legítima de linchamiento.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • Cayó sobre el ministro un opprobrium implacable.
  • El plagio trajo opprobrium académico.
  • Intentaron separar crítica de puro opprobrium.

Word Origins

Latin opprobrum “deshonra, vituperio”

Relacionado con “opprobrious” (adjetivo).

First appearance in English: mid-17th century

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Adjective: opprobrious

    Un insulto opprobrious estalló en redes.

  • Noun: disrepute

    Cayó en disrepute por fraude.

  • Noun: censure

    Recibió censure formal del gremio.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: oprobio / denuesto
  • French: opprobre
  • German: Schmach / öffentlicher Tadel
  • Italian: obbrobrio
  • Portuguese: opróbrio

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Vituperation

Lenguaje abusivo; opprobrium es estado social.

Censure

Reprensión oficial; opprobrium es público y moral.

Infamy

Fama deshonrosa más perdurable.

Fun Facts

  • “Opprobrious epithets” es una locución fija en oratoria.
  • Antiguamente implicaba vergüenza pública ritual.

Cultural Usage

  • Escándalos financieros dejaron opprobrium duradero.
  • El opprobrium social modula normas de conducta.

Common Mistakes

No es “opium” ni “opprobation” (aprobación: falso amigo).

Micro Story

La empresa afrontó el opprobrium tras el derrame.