Skip to main content
scurrilously

scurrilously

9.9
In a way that says very bad and untrue things about someone
  • adverb
  • /ˈskɜrɪləsli/
  • Offensive
translation icon : de manera calumniosa
  • During the debate, she scurrilously accused her rival of corruption, showing no regard for the truth.

Examples

  • The politician spoke scurrilously about his opponent, using harsh and offensive language to attack his character.

  • Next, as an aside, you make the scurrilously false statement that I said that claims of damage due to sea level rise in Tuvalu "stemmed from attempts by locals to blame subsidence problems on the developed world, and cash in on it."

    Blog text (22)
  • The article was filled with scurrilously derogatory remarks aimed at public figures, which sparked outrage among readers.

Synonyms

derisively
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
6 7.3

In a mocking way that shows you think someone is foolish

is more grossly abusive or slanderous than mocking ridicule
contemptuously
vsscurrilously
4 7.5

In a way that shows you have no respect for someone or something

is more grossly abusive or slanderous than general disrespect
scornfully
vsscurrilously
4 6.0

In a way that shows strong dislike and disrespect

is more grossly abusive or slanderous than that tone
virulently
vsscurrilously
3 8.7

In an angry and hurtful way

is more about obscene or slanderous abuse than general hostility
disparagingly
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
3 7.3

In a way that shows you do not respect someone and say bad things about them

is more obscene and slanderous than simple belittling language
disdainfully
vsscurrilously
3 7.3

With a look or voice that shows strong dislike and no respect

is more obscene and slanderous than open contempt
insultingly
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
2 5.9

In a rude way that tries to hurt someone's feelings

is more grossly abusive or slanderous than basic insults
scathingly
vsscurrilously
1 7.9

Saying something in a very harsh and critical way

is more obscene or slanderous than blunt severe criticism
derogatorily
vsscurrilously
1 7.2

In a way that shows disrespect toward someone or something

is more grossly abusive or slanderous than ordinary disrespect
vitriolically
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
1 9.9

In a very harsh and angry way that hurts people

is more obscene and slanderous rather than sharply critical language
caustically
vsscurrilously
1 8.2

In a sharply critical way that can hurt someone's feelings

is more obscene or slanderous than biting sarcastic remark
libelously
vsscurrilously
  • US
9.0

In a way that makes false written statements to harm a person's reputation

is more about obscene or abusive language than formal written falsehoods
slanderously
vsscurrilously
8.2

In a way that says false things to hurt someone's reputation

is more about gross obscene abuse rather than merely false remarks
calumniously
vsscurrilously
  • Formal
9.9

In a way that says false things to harm someone's reputation

is more obviously obscene and abusive than simply false accusation
scabrously
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
9.9

In a rude and sexually offensive way

is similar but adds explicitly slanderous or grossly abusive intent
vituperatively
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
9.9

To criticise someone using very harsh, insulting words

is more focused on obscene or slanderous abuse rather than harsh attack
stingingly
vsscurrilously
7.7

In a sharply critical way that hurts someone's feelings

is more focused on gross abuse and slander than sharp hurt
contumeliously
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
9.9

In a rude, insulting way that shows clear disrespect

is more obscene or slanderous than scornful insulting tone
derisorily
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
9.9

In a mocking way that shows you think someone is silly

is more obscene and slanderous rather than mere mockery
scoffingly
vsscurrilously
  • Offensive
8.6

In a rude way that shows you think someone is silly

is more grossly abusive or slanderous than simple derision

Antonyms

101 2.3

In a polite way to someone

4 2.8

In a polite and respectful way

How Offensive

scurrilously
  • Offensive
9.9
offensively
  • Offensive
15 4.5
insultingly
  • Offensive
2 5.9
rudely
25 1.3

Surface Forms

scurrilously positive

Morphology

scurrilously = scurrilous (transparent) = scurrilous + ly

Regular adverb formation from the adjective 'scurrilous' by adding the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Scurrilously comes from the Latin word scurrilis, which comes from scurra meaning 'jester' or 'buffoon'. That's why to speak or act scurrilously is like behaving as a rude joker—making insulting jokes or spreading mean false stories about someone.