revile

verb

re·​vile ri-ˈvī(-ə)l 

reviled; reviling

transitive verb

: to subject to verbal abuse : vituperate

intransitive verb

: to use abusive language : rail

revilement

ri-ˈvī(-ə)l-mənt 

noun

reviler noun

Choose the Right Synonym for revile

scold, upbraid, berate, rail, revile, vituperate mean to reproach angrily and abusively.

scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Examples of revile in a Sentence

Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, an organization formed during last school year’s campus protests, has reviled both activists on social media and questioned public sympathy for them in the aftermath of their arrests. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

More dad rock, less prestige TV Of course, despite this game's positive reception among many fans, Assassin’s Creed in general is often reviled by some critics and gamers. —ArsTechnica, 18 Apr. 2025

Alex Cora was on a one-year contract as the Red Sox manager, beloved in the clubhouse but still reviled in many corners for his participation in the Astros cheating scandal. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025

Listen to this article Loading your audio article For most of her long life, Yoko Ono has been reviled by many rock critics and music fans as the dragon lady who glommed on to a lovesick John Lennon and broke up the Beatles. —Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French reviler to despise, from re- + vil vile

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing revile

• revile as

Rhymes for revile

• argyle
• awhile
• beguile
• compile
• condyle
• defile
• erstwhile
• exile
• freestyle
• gentile
• hairstyle
• lifestyle

Kids Definition

revile

verb

re·​vile ri-ˈvī(ə)l 

reviled; reviling

: to speak to or about in an insulting way

revilement

-mənt 

noun

reviler noun