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
  • McCrary's former partner cited concerns about the child's safety in his care, and the court ordered him to have monitored visitation and to attend classes on parenting and for drug and alcohol abuse and batterer intervention, PEOPLE reported.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
  • McCrary was ordered to attend alcohol and drug abuse and batterers’ intervention classes within 12 months and was granted visits with their daughter.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rory McIlroy was the lightning rod for the invective, and so was his wife.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In the months before the $5 million match, Ali turned up the invective, calling Frazier dumb, mocking his dark skin, and painting him as a lackey for his white handlers.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
  • After a small crowd outside Boston’s customs house pelted redcoats with rocks, snowballs, and insults, the soldiers opened fire, killing five and wounding 12 more.
    Time, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s administration was right to send an emissary after ICE’s Hyundai raid to express regret and negotiate a new business visa process for South Koreans, despite criticism from the more anti-immigrant MAGA base.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Rimes has described experiencing cycles of praise and harsh criticism — both as a child star and during her affair with Cibrian.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vituperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperation. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on vituperation

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