unregenerate

Imagine a mischievous child who always gets into trouble, no matter how many times they're scolded. That child might be described as unregenerate, meaning they are unwilling or unable to change their bad habits. It suggests a deep-rooted habit of doing wrong and little or no regret.

The word comes from religious roots and originally referred to someone who was not spiritually "born again." Today, it is more often used in a secular way to describe someone who is stubbornly stuck in bad ways, especially if those ways are seen as immoral or harmful. A politician caught in a scandal who refuses to apologize might be called unregenerate. It's stronger than simply "bad" because it suggests a person does not want to improve.

"Unregenerate" describes someone who is stubbornly resistant to change, especially when that change would mean improving their character or behavior. It suggests a deeply ingrained pattern of wrongdoing and little willingness to repent or reform. The word carries a strong sense of disapproval and implies an almost fixed flaw in the person's nature.

The origin of "unregenerate" lies in religious language, referring to someone who hasn't experienced spiritual rebirth or conversion. However, its modern usage is often secular, describing anyone who remains stubbornly committed to bad habits or immoral actions despite attempts at correction.

You might encounter it in literature and formal writing, where it adds a shade of meaning beyond simply calling someone "bad." For example: "Despite years of therapy, his unregenerate tendency to gamble continued to plague him." Or, describing a villainous character: "He was an unregenerate rogue, driven by greed and devoid of compassion."

It's important to note that "unregenerate" isn't just about doing bad things; it's about being fundamentally unwilling to stop doing them. It suggests a deep-seated flaw in character rather than a temporary lapse in judgment. The word implies a pessimistic view: the belief that some people are simply beyond redemption or reform.