opprobrium
/əˈprəʊbrɪəm
/noun [mass noun]
1Harsh criticism or censure: the critical opprobrium generated by his films...
- His follow-up picture Assassin premiered at Cannes in 1997 to particularly dismissive critical opprobrium and never earned a release in the UK.
- Despite his outsider status and the opprobrium it generates, he won't give in.
- Of course politicians choose to be public figures and they know it opens them up to the likelihood of public criticism and general opprobrium.
Synonyms
vilification, abuse, vituperation, condemnation, criticism, censure, castigation, denunciation, defamation, denigration, disparagement, obloquy, derogation, slander, revilement, reviling, calumny, calumniation, execration, excoriation, lambasting, upbraiding, bad press, character assassination, attack, invective, libel, insults, aspersions
informal flak, mud-slinging, bad-mouthing, tongue-lashing
British informal stick, verbal, slagging off
archaic contumely
rare animadversion, objurgation
1.1Public disgrace arising from shameful conduct: the opprobrium of being closely associated with gangsters...
- For now, officials trying to protect the public risk punishment and opprobrium, while terrorists trying to invade and destroy the country enjoy politically motivated protection.
- Any hint of public opprobrium at ‘shacking up’ has vanished.
- Apparently fearful of public opprobrium, companies have been spurred to reduce toxic emissions on their own.
Synonyms
disgrace, shame, dishonour, discredit, stigma, humiliation, loss of face, ignominy, odium, obloquy, disfavour, disrepute, ill repute, infamy, notoriety, scandal, stain
rare disesteem
1.2 [count noun] archaic An occasion or cause of reproach or disgrace.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'infamy', from opprobrum, from ob- 'against' + probrum 'disgraceful act'.