Synonyms of invective

invective 1 of 2

noun

in-ˈvek-tiv 

as in abuse

harsh insulting language

hurled curses and invective at the driver who heedlessly cut them off in traffic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abuse
• vituperation
• insult
• criticism
• vitriol
• scurrility
• fulmination
• billingsgate
• curse
• obloquy
• epithet
• slur
• blackguardism
• blasphemy
• imprecation
• profanity
• malediction
• polemic
• reprimand
• expletive
• disparagement
• vilification
• tirade
• rebuke
• diatribe
• excoriation
• belittlement
• castigation
• aspersion
• reproof
• chastisement
• execration
• opprobrium
• swearword
• revilement
• harangue
• put-down
• bad-mouthing
• broadside

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• applause
• acclaim
• commendation
• compliments
• congratulations
• endearments
• felicitations
• flattery
• adulation
• soft soap
• blarney
• overpraise

invective

2 of 2

adjective

as in abusive

marked by harsh insulting language

an overbearing, bullying boss who is fond of sending invective e-mails to long-suffering assistants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abusive
• insulting
• outrageous
• vituperative
• vitriolic
• obscene
• scurrilous
• offensive
• opprobrious
• malicious
• contumelious
• truculent
• outraging
• hateful
• nasty
• vituperatory
• dirty
• filthy
• vulgar
• scurrile
• offending
• contemptuous
• crude
• libelous
• indecent
• scornful
• slanderous
• foul
• coarse
• gross
• defamatory
• foulmouthed
• spiteful
• scandalous
• disdainful
• potty-mouthed
• intemperate
• malevolent
• unbridled
• affronting
• immoderate
• unrestrained
• traducing
• maligning
• vilifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• temperate
• civil
• respectful
• deferential
• polite
• courteous
• gracious
• judicious
• tempered
• laudatory
• discreet
• mannerly
• encomiastic
• praiseful
• laudative

Synonym Chooser

How is the word invective distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of invective are abuse, billingsgate, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When is abuse a more appropriate choice than invective?

The synonyms abuse and invective are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When could billingsgate be used to replace invective?

The meanings of billingsgate and invective largely overlap; however, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When is it sensible to use obloquy instead of invective?

Although the words obloquy and invective have much in common, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

When would vituperation be a good substitute for invective?

While in some cases nearly identical to invective, vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of invective

Noun

In Congo, Tutsis face widespread discrimination and bigoted invective. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

That means Paulson gets much of the choicest dialogue and the most colorful invective. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Another cupped his hands and shouted invective. —Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

Rory McIlroy was the lightning rod for the invective, and so was his wife. —Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

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