tirade

noun

ti·​rade ˈtī-ˌrād 

 also  ti-ˈrād

: a protracted speech usually marked by intemperate, vituperative, or harshly censorious language

Synonyms

• diatribe
• attack
• criticism
• rant
• jeremiad
• lecture
• sermon
• harangue
• philippic
• reprimand

Examples of tirade in a Sentence

He went into a tirade about the failures of the government.

The coach directed a tirade at the team after the loss.

Recent Examples on the Web

Liberal fans accused Sweeney of being too cozy with family members who backed Donald Trump, while right-wingers launched into the usual tirades about cancel culture (and entertained the idea that Sweeney might be one of their own). —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2025

Schumer takes victory lap after Trump goes on tirade, nominee confirmation deal blows up | RISING Robby Soave and Niall Stanage weigh in on President Trump’s latest antics against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). —The Hill, 4 Aug. 2025

In Hinch’s mind, grand speeches or locker-room tirades do not win baseball games. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 26 July 2025

His profane gospel tirade was an attempt to hold on to the Democratic Party’s core black American constituents and manipulate those voters. —Armond White, National Review, 25 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, shot, tirade, from Middle French, from Old Italian tirata, from tirare to draw, shoot

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tirade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

tirade

noun

ti·​rade tī-ˈrād 

ˈtī-ˌrād

: a long violent angry speech : harangue