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
• admonish
• decry
• belittle
• abominate
• fault
• deprecate
• diss
• censure
• execrate
• anathematize
• damn
• dispraise
• ostracize
• knock
• pan
• sentence
• slam
• reprehend
• chide
• excommunicate
• convict
• doom
• chastise
• reprobate
• dis
• reprimand
• blast
• berate
• upbraid
• rebuke
• blacklist
• castigate
• reproach
• curse
• lambast
• vituperate
• reprove
• rake
• imprecate
• lambaste

Dissimilar Words

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

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

The film was a box office flop, grossing $167 million worldwide on a $120 million budget, and it was critically reviled, earning just a 9% score on Rotten Tomatoes. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

Advertisement Some analysts have even suggested that Hun Sen has been enlisted by Thailand’s elites to finally topple the Shinawatra family, which remains reviled by royalists for its populist adulation amongst rural voters. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 July 2025

Even though leprosy cannot spread through casual contact, the disease is deeply feared and reviled. —Oc Register, 20 June 2025