as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language
a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington
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Recent Examples of scurrilous
The justices who renounced that lie in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center exposed themselves to scurrilous criticisms and even threats to their safety.
—
The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban.
—John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
The good people of Lancaster County were innocent of the charges thrown at them by raving Southerners and scurrilous Democrats.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
One upshot was Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which to this day insulates social media from legal liability for the content — however incendiary or scurrilous — that users post.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scurrilous
The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban.
—John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2025
The good people of Lancaster County were innocent of the charges thrown at them by raving Southerners and scurrilous Democrats.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
One upshot was Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which to this day insulates social media from legal liability for the content — however incendiary or scurrilous — that users post.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scurrilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scurrilous
Adjective
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Lawyers and advocates for a woman charged with killing her abusive ex-boyfriend railed against prosecutors’ offer of a plea deal and probation Tuesday and renewed their calls for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to drop the charges altogether.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
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In her new memoir You With the Sad Eyes, published Tuesday, the Married…With Children actress reflects on the long-term relationship with an abusive boyfriend that began in her late teens.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But it’s evolved into an even better production, one that manages to be simultaneously outrageous and moving, carrying its conflicting emotional extremes with grace and nuance.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
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The least outrageous liquid should be number one and the most outrageous should be the highest number.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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According to the Tourette Association of America, between 10 and 15% of people living with the disorder have vocal tics that may include disturbing, insulting or inappropriate language, including swear words and slurs.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2026
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Some leaders, producers and directors were not amused by Goldberg, saying her remarks were insulting and dismissive of a serious fight to gain diversity within the motion picture industry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Others include copropraxia, or obscene gestures, and non-obscene but socially inappropriate tics, such as making kissing sounds, spitting or touching others.—
Rena Zito,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
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Davidson has Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to the Tourette Association of America.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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David smells an opportunity but completely misreads Hale, a vicious and vituperative man who delights in tormenting lesser writers.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
9 Feb. 2026
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But, in private, Koren could be aggressive and vituperative—a competitive colleague who sought to destroy the reputations and careers of those who crossed him.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scurrilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scurrilous. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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