invective

1 of 2

noun

in·​vec·​tive in-ˈvek-tiv 

1

: insulting or abusive language : vituperation

2

: an abusive expression or speech

invective

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse

invectively adverb

invectiveness noun

Did you know?

Invective originated in the 15th century as an adjective meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse," but by the early 16th century, it was functioning as a noun referring to a harsh verbal attack, and within a few decades, to abusive language as a whole. Invective is similar to verbal abuse, but in addition to being a more formal term than abuse, invective tends to suggest not only anger and vehemence but also rhetorical skill. It sometimes also implies public denunciation, as in "blistering political invective."

Synonyms of invective

Noun

• abuse
• vituperation
• insult
• criticism
• vitriol
• scurrility
• fulmination

Adjective

• abusive
• insulting
• outrageous
• vituperative
• vitriolic

Choose the Right Synonym for invective

abuse, vituperation, invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval.

abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Examples of invective in a Sentence

Noun

a barrage of racist invective

hurled curses and invective at the driver who heedlessly cut them off in traffic

Adjective

an overbearing, bullying boss who is fond of sending invective e-mails to long-suffering assistants

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After two months, her streams of heart and kiss emojis gave way to rivers of invective. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026

At one point, the crew shot a scene in which Whalen’s character joins a bar fight, shouting invectives at a hapless extra before pummelling him to the ground. —Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

Riley would have invented invectives. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026

Today’s writers use it to wildly different ends, from political invectives to plainspoken diaries to surreal dreamscapes. —Patrick Dundon, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English invectif, from Middle French, from Latin invectivus, from invectus, past participle of invehere

First Known Use

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for invective

• advective
• affective
• collective
• connective
• convective
• corrective
• defective
• detective
• directive
• effective
• elective
• infective

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Kids Definition

invective

noun

in·​vec·​tive

in-ˈvek-tiv

: harsh or insulting words