vituperate

verb vi·tu·per·ate \ vī-ˈtü-pə-ˌrāt , və- , -ˈtyü- \

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Examples: vituperate in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of vituperate

vituperated; vituperating

transitive verb

: to abuse or censure severely or abusively : berate

intransitive verb

: to use harsh condemnatory language

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vituperator

play \vī-ˈtü-pə-ˌrā-tər, və-, -ˈtyü-\ noun

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Examples of vituperate in a Sentence

every week the minister would ascend the pulpit and vituperate the parishioners for a litany of vices

Did You Know?

Vituperate has several close synonyms, including "berate" and "revile." "Berate" usually refers to scolding that is drawn out and abusive. "Revile" means to attack or criticize in a way prompted by anger or hatred. "Vituperate" adds to the meaning of "revile" by stressing an attack that is particularly violent in nature. It first appeared in English in the mid-16th century and can be traced back to two Latin words: the noun vitium, meaning "fault," and the verb parare, meaning "to make or prepare."

Origin and Etymology of vituperate

Latin vituperatus, past participle of vituperare, from vitium fault + parare to make, prepare — more at pare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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vituperate Synonyms

Synonyms

abuse, assail, attack, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, excoriate, jump (on), lambaste (or lambast), potshot, savage, scathe, slam;

Near Antonyms

acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise;

blaspheme, curse, execrate, imprecate, profane;

affront, insult, slur;

asperse, bad-mouth, belittle, blackguard, disparage, put down;

libel, slander, traduce, vilify;

chastise, chide, criticize, lace (into), rebuke, reprimand, reproof;

fulminate, lash (out);

Phrases

beat up on, light into, sail into, tie into;

Synonym Discussion of vituperate

scold, upbraid, berate, rail, revile, vituperate mean to reproach angrily and abusively. scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.