scurrilous

adjective

scur·​ri·​lous ˈskər-ə-ləs How to pronounce scurrilous (audio)
ˈskə-rə-
1
a
: using or given to coarse language
b
: vulgar and evil
scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor peopleEdwin Benson
2
: containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
scurrilous accusations
scurrilously adverb
scurrilousness noun

Did you know?

Scurrilous (and its much rarer relation scurrile, which has the same meaning) comes from the Middle French word scurrile, which comes ultimately from the Latin noun scurra, meaning “buffoon” or “jester.” Fittingly, 18th-century lexicographer Samuel Johnson defined scurrilous as “using such language as only the licence of a buffoon could warrant.” Qualities traditionally associated with buffoonery—vulgarity, irreverence, and indecorousness—are qualities often invoked by the word scurrilous. Unlike the words of a jester, however, “scurrilous” language of the present day more often intends to seriously harm or slander someone than to produce a few laughs.

Examples of scurrilous in a Sentence

scurrilous attacks on the senator a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington
Recent Examples on the Web Facts won’t deter Republicans on this point, however, for the same reason that Trump and his running mate, J. D. Vance, keep repeating their scurrilous lies about Haitian immigrants eating the pets of Ohio: white anxiety about a diversifying country has become one of the Party’s greatest assets. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2024 And Harriman was certainly subject to gossip, some of it scurrilous and sexist. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024 Lee is obsessed with this for a reason that’s scurrilous but also kind of tragic. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024 David will be considering the position with his legal team and will take such steps as may be appropriate over these false and scurrilous allegations. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for scurrilous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scurrilous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of scurrilous was in 1576

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Dictionary Entries Near scurrilous

Cite this Entry

“Scurrilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scurrilous. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

scurrilous

adjective
scur·​ri·​lous ˈskər-ə-ləs How to pronounce scurrilous (audio)
ˈskə-rə-
1
: vulgar and evil
scurrilous crooks
2
: containing indecent words or harsh abuse
scurrilous attacks on the senator
scurrilously
ˈskər-ə-ləs-lē
ˈskə-rə-
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on scurrilous

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