tirade

noun

ti·​rade ˈtī-ˌrād How to pronounce tirade (audio)
 also  ti-ˈrād
: a protracted speech usually marked by intemperate, vituperative, or harshly censorious language

Examples of tirade in a Sentence

He went into a tirade about the failures of the government. The coach directed a tirade at the team after the loss.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But Chernus talks at us with the condescending zeal of a true music-lover, and his cheeky tirades about the history of jazz — and why Jarrett’s gift for improvisation is unique even in the context of such a freeform genre — are entertaining and educational in equal measure. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025 Suspect Thomas Jacob Sanford, who was fatally shot by police, had gone on a recent tirade against Latter-day Saints during a conversation with a local political candidate. Brittany Romanello, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025 Her tirade is a window into the mentality of radical CA Democrat politicians. Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Nagy, normally upbeat and composed, had gone on an all-time tirade. Michael Silver, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tirade

Word History

Etymology

French, shot, tirade, from Middle French, from Old Italian tirata, from tirare to draw, shoot

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tirade was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tirade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tirade. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tirade

noun
ti·​rade tī-ˈrād How to pronounce tirade (audio)
ˈtī-ˌrād
: a long violent angry speech : harangue

More from Merriam-Webster on tirade

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