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vituperation

noun vi·tu·per·a·tion \ (ˌ)vī-ˌtü-pə-ˈrā-shən , və- , -ˈtyü- \

Definition of vituperation

1 : sustained and bitter railing and condemnation : vituperative utterance
2 : an act or instance of vituperating

See vituperation defined for English-language learners

See vituperation defined for kids

Examples of vituperation in a Sentence

  1. their vituperation against the president

  2. Voters are tired of all the vituperation in this campaign.

Recent Examples of vituperation from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vituperation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of vituperation

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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vituperation Synonyms

Synonyms

abuse, fulmination, invective, vitriol;

Near Antonyms

acclaim, applause, commendation, praise;

compliments, congratulations, endearments, felicitations;

adulation, blarney, flattery, overpraise, soft soap;

Related Words

blasphemy, curse, profanity;

epithet, insult, put-down, slur;

expletive, swearword;

aspersion, bad-mouthing, belittlement, disparagement, revilement, vilification;

castigation, chastisement, criticism, excoriation, opprobrium, rebuke, reprimand, reproof;

broadside, diatribe, harangue, polemic, tirade;

Synonym Discussion of vituperation

abuse, vituperation, invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval. abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.
    • scathing verbal abuse
vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.
    • a torrent of vituperation
invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.
    • blistering political invective
obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.
    • subjected to obloquy and derision
billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.
    • directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

VITUPERATION Defined for English Language Learners

vituperation

noun

Definition of vituperation for English Language Learners

  • : harsh and angry criticism

Learn More about vituperation

  1. See words that rhyme with vituperation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vituperation Nglish: Translation of vituperation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of vituperation for Arabic speakers

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