Synonyms of vituperate

vituperate

verb

vī-ˈtü-pə-ˌrāt 

as in to attack

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

every week the minister would ascend the pulpit and vituperate the parishioners for a litany of vices

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• scold
• slam
• insult
• savage
• criticize
• abuse
• excoriate
• assail
• scathe
• blast
• castigate
• jump (on)
• tie into
• lambaste
• harass
• bash
• revile
• curse
• belabor
• trash
• harangue
• berate
• sail into
• potshot
• disparage
• beat up on
• blaspheme
• execrate
• reprimand
• affront
• imprecate
• libel
• light into
• slander
• harry
• asperse
• profane
• belittle
• vilify
• slur
• chide
• blackguard
• chastise
• traduce
• bad-mouth
• fulminate
• rebuke
• whip
• lash (out)
• lace (into)
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• praise
• compliment
• hail
• laud
• acclaim

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vituperate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vituperate are berate, rail, revile, scold, and upbraid. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

In what contexts can berate take the place of vituperate?

While the synonyms berate and vituperate are close in meaning, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is it sensible to use rail instead of vituperate?

The meanings of rail and vituperate largely overlap; however, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When might revile be a better fit than vituperate?

The synonyms revile and vituperate are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

Where would scold be a reasonable alternative to vituperate?

The words scold and vituperate can be used in similar contexts, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can upbraid be used instead of vituperate?

While in some cases nearly identical to vituperate, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!