as in hated
formal
to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way
Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.
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Recent Examples of reviled
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
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
These weapons are reviled among human rights advocacy organizations and can have lasting civilian impacts.
—Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
In fact, however, he is not overlooked but derided or reviled -- the strength of the populace’s reactions is directly proportional to its horror at his accuracy.
—David Mamet, National Review, 21 Nov. 2024
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
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
These weapons are reviled among human rights advocacy organizations and can have lasting civilian impacts.
—Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
In fact, however, he is not overlooked but derided or reviled -- the strength of the populace’s reactions is directly proportional to its horror at his accuracy.
—David Mamet, National Review, 21 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reviled
Verb
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Kilmer also hated being trapped in the heavy costume and mask.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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The behind-the-scenes drama of this comedy-horror film sounds a lot more stressful and tense than anything in the film (multiple actors hated the material, played hooky from set, and disavowed the final product).—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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CEOs and experts have criticized universities for failing to keep up with the times; now that AI is here to stay, students had better be prepared to leverage it in their roles.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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In recent months, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has repeatedly criticized Tucker Carlson.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That same night, while the two friends were playing online together, her friend mentioned that her daughter had developed a cough and blamed it on the water balloons the kids had played with at the party.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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Goldenrods are commonly blamed for fall allergies, though the true culprit is ragweed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On August 22, she was attacked while on a Charlotte light train in what police described as an unprovoked stabbing.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
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Ruben Amorim’s men attacked with precision and purpose at Old Trafford.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reviled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reviled. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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