1
as in diatribe
a long angry speech or scolding
launched into a long harangue about poor customer service without realizing that I wasn't even an employee!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in speech
a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience
the dictator's lengthy harangue before a captive audience
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the eminent professor harangued for three hours on his favorite subject, the clash of East and West
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to discourse
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
a talk-show guest using the interviewer's questions as an opportunity to harangue on a variety of pet peeves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of harangue
Michael Crowley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
But as the threats to women’s reproductive health have come out of Washington, one after another, Cecile Richards has had to be everywhere at once: traveling around the country to meet patients and making constant trips to Washington to educate, lobby, and harangue members of Congress.
—Jonathan Van Meter, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
George Ramsay, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
That entanglement allowed Biden to traverse the country haranguing business on equity, climate, daycare, union labor, and other whole-of-government crusades—while taunting Republicans who relented for the sake of home-district dollars.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harangue
Noun
The Americans were prepared for a lecture from Russia’s longtime foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, who is well known for his tedious harangues.
—Michael Crowley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
But as the threats to women’s reproductive health have come out of Washington, one after another, Cecile Richards has had to be everywhere at once: traveling around the country to meet patients and making constant trips to Washington to educate, lobby, and harangue members of Congress.
—Jonathan Van Meter, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
Philadelphia Phillies fan Drew Feltwell wants people to lay off the woman who harangued him and his son over a home run ball at a game last week.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
That entanglement allowed Biden to traverse the country haranguing business on equity, climate, daycare, union labor, and other whole-of-government crusades—while taunting Republicans who relented for the sake of home-district dollars.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harangue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harangue
Noun
-
Academics in particular knew the impact of his anti-college diatribes, demonizing of university professors, and literal targeting of them with Professor Watchlist.—
Karen J. Leader,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Like everyone else, Nina’d had too much to drink and was trying to follow Bess’s diatribe while looking for a place to break in and divert.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In some cases, entire families sign up to record video, speech and images for AI training to supplement their income.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
You guys got an uptick in the ratings and very good reviews for last year’s Oscars, but one criticism was that some of the speeches — Adrien Brody’s, in particular — went on a little long.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has also spoken out in defense of his handling of the various crises facing his administration — but not nearly with the sort of detail and solemnity that wartime presidents usually speak, experts said.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
In the 90 minutes the two spoke, Shaynak shared a number of details about his life that actually made it into the show.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
13 Feb. 2026
-
All the while, discourse around the television series has formed a buzzy backdrop to the sale.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Several Persian Gulf nations have already reduced or fully shut down oil and natural gas production out of fear of an attack by Iran’s drone or missile arsenal.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Even so, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw fresh drone and missile attacks Saturday morning.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cluelessly, the Biden administration lectured Israel about its military response.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Therefore, now is not the time to be lecturing our partners and allies.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More often, though, Tallent demonstrates his characters’ precarity rather than declaiming about it.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Providence doesn’t give you a Latin teacher for a mother without consequence: Samy declaimed classical locutions with scandalous ease.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
While discussing the current compensation system in college sports, the president went on a tirade against the Supreme Court for unanimously ruling against the NCAA’s restrictions on noncash compensation for college athletes in 2021.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Like Americans everywhere, many of us watched the State of the Union speech, a divisive tirade.—
Milly Dawson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harangue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harangue. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
