Synonym Chooser

How is the word vituperation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of vituperation are abuse, billingsgate, invective, and obloquy. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

When is it sensible to use abuse instead of vituperation?

The meanings of abuse and vituperation largely overlap; however, abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When is billingsgate a more appropriate choice than vituperation?

While in some cases nearly identical to vituperation, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

In what contexts can invective take the place of vituperation?

In some situations, the words invective and vituperation are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When could obloquy be used to replace vituperation?

The words obloquy and vituperation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vituperation Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 The politicization of the COVID response has only worsened this trend, likely resulting in part from Trump’s vituperation. Matt Motta, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024 The vituperation has spilled over into the Wellington protests. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Feb. 2022 What had whipped these imperious creative artists into a frenzy of dismissive vituperation was, in fact, something that most people have strong ideas about, nobody can define, and virtually everyone (besides that trio) seems to want: good taste. Daniel Mendelsohn, Town & Country, 20 Sep. 2021 Metaphorically likening Charlottesville to a rapist is a baseless vituperation against Charlottesville’s character, even more outlandish when the mayor herself is the vituperator. George Messenger, National Review, 30 Mar. 2021 Unflinchingly conservative, wildly partisan, bombastically self-promoting and larger than life, Limbaugh galvanized listeners for more than 30 years with his talent for vituperation and sarcasm. Matt Sedensky, Star Tribune, 17 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vituperation
Noun
  • Directed by Michôd, who co-wrote the script with Katherine Fugate and Mirrah Foulkes, the movie tells the story of Martin’s rise in the boxing ring throughout the 1990s and her struggle with domestic abuse.
    Nigel Smith, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The lawsuit, which was first reported by Courthouse News, is one of the first of its kind and could set meaningful precedent for AI abuses in the future.
    Kyle Ingram, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The actor also has been involved in occurrences of being verbal and physically aggressive, hurling racists invectives, as well as being out and out violent on a number of occasions.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 July 2025
  • Despite the invective and hyperbole the Guild continues to inject into the process, which have included gratuitous and nasty personal attacks, the Daily News stands ready to sit down as often as necessary and as long as necessary.
    The Daily News, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.
    Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Mourinho’s arrival at United was a response to some of the criticisms directed at his predecessor, Louis van Gaal.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Much of his criticism originates to when Elon Musk, a South African native, was a member of his administration.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vituperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperation. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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