Definition

To criticize or rebuke someone in a harsh or abusive manner.

Pronunciation

US English

UK English

Part of speech

Verb.

Synonyms

Berate, Castigate, Revile, Upbraid, Vilify.

Antonyms

Praise, Compliment, Flatter, Commend.

Example sentences

  • During the heated debate, the politician continued to vituperate his opponent’s policies, making personal attacks and using crude language to discredit him.

  • After the controversial decision was made by the board, a group of angry protestors gathered outside the building to vituperate the members and demand a reversal of the ruling.

  • The movie critic did not hold back in his review of the new action film, using every opportunity to vituperate the uninspired plot, wooden acting, and gratuitous violence on screen.

  • The coach was known to vituperate his players during intense training sessions, pushing them to their limits and using harsh language to encourage them to improve their performance.

Usage

The word “vituperate” is a strong and formal word that is often used to describe harsh criticism, condemnation or abuse. It is usually used to describe verbal or written attacks on a person, group, or idea. The word comes from the Latin word “vituperare,” which means to blame, censure or reproach.

When using this word, it is important to remember that it is quite formal and may not be commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more commonly used in academic or professional writing, such as in legal or political documents. When used in spoken language, it can be considered a harsh and insulting way to criticize someone, and it is important to use it with care.

The word “vituperate” can also be used in the form of a noun, “vituperation,” which means the act of vituperating or harshly criticizing. The word is also related to the word “vitriolic,” which is an adjective used to describe a bitter or scathing criticism. It is important to note that the word “vituperate” is usually used in a negative context, and should be used with caution to avoid sounding excessively critical or insulting