revile

Definition of revilenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb revile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revile are berate, rail, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is berate a more appropriate choice than revile?

The synonyms berate and revile are sometimes interchangeable, but berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

In what contexts can rail take the place of revile?

The words rail and revile can be used in similar contexts, but rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When could scold be used to replace revile?

In some situations, the words scold and revile are roughly equivalent. However, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When might upbraid be a better fit than revile?

The words upbraid and revile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When would vituperate be a good substitute for revile?

While the synonyms vituperate and revile are close in meaning, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

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 revile Stone and Lanthimos have since worked together several times, and their collaboration, a mutual-favoritism society, has been hailed and sometimes reviled for its darkly exuberant sense of risk. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025 Can someone in demand really be that widely reviled? Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025 Resorting to an omnibus is now common, even though it is reviled by many rank-and-file lawmakers who resent being deprived of the ability to resist individual spending provisions without derailing the sole vehicle for averting a shutdown. Lazaro Gamio, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 In southern Gaza, the Abu Shabab militia is widely reviled, and Abu Shabab’s own family has disassociated itself from him and called for his death. Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for revile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revile
Verb
  • We should all be so hated by Hollywood!
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Even though the audience hated it, Susan and I loved it.
    Jeremy Helligar, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), the Clintons criticized the committee for dismissing previous subpoenas issued to seven other witnesses on the matter of Epstein.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 2 Feb. 2026
  • The powerful Murdoch media empire has been the source of criticism from Democrats for years, particularly in New York City, where the New York Post has relentlessly criticized, mocked, and uncovered negative stories about its Democratic mayors and politicians.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In a comparable case in the United States in 2023, a federal judge imposed $5,000 fines on two lawyers and a law firm after ChatGPT was blamed for their submission of fictitious legal research in an aviation injury claim.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • That leaves them out of pocket, at risk of reputational damage and in danger of losing customers who blame them, rather than the cloud services provider, for the problem.
    David Prosser, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Revile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revile. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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