revile

verb

re·​vile ri-ˈvī(-ə)l 

reviled; reviling

transitive verb

: to subject to verbal abuse : vituperate

He was reviled for his toxic remarks.

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

From liberal to nationalist Beloved by many older and more rural Hungarians and reviled by detractors, Orbán has emerged as the country’s most consequential leader since its transition to democracy at the end of the Cold War. —Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Texas lawmakers have openly reviled the standardized testing regime and voted last year to replace the test with three shorter assessments, starting in the 2027-28 school year. —Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Apr. 2026

While Senesh was hailed as a hero, Kastner was reviled and assassinated by his own countrymen for negotiating with the Nazis. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

Even Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller — reviled by many as the architect of the harshest ICE policies — took advantage of the humanizing aspect of being associated with Elvis. —John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Mar. 2026

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