Synonyms of revile

revile

verb

as in to hate

formal to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way

Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.

Related Words

• hate
• criticize
• blame
• attack
• condemn
• denounce
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• scold
• disparage
• decry
• admonish
• belittle
• abominate
• fault
• deprecate
• censure
• execrate
• anathematize
• damn
• dispraise
• ostracize
• knock
• pan
• sentence
• slam
• reprehend
• chide
• excommunicate
• convict
• doom
• chastise
• reprobate
• dis
• blast
• berate
• reprimand
• upbraid
• rebuke
• castigate
• reproach
• curse
• vituperate
• reprove
• rake
• blacklist
• imprecate
• lambaste

Dissimilar Words

• approve
• endorse
• sanction
• exalt
• praise
• glorify
• commend
• applaud
• extol
• salute
• honor
• hail
• laud
• revere
• tout
• sanctify
• consecrate
• eulogize
• bless
• acclaim
• venerate
• hallow

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

Recent Examples of revile

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

Paradise lost Alaska and Crimea remain linked in some ways today, both viewed as historic Russian regions lost by weak leaders – Yeltsin, the first president of independent Russia, is reviled for recognizing Crimea as part of Ukraine after the USSR collapsed. —Dan Morrison, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

Today, Israel has rarely been as isolated or as reviled by its critics. —Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 14 Aug. 2025