vituperative
2
9.9
- adjective
- /vaɪˈtjuːpərətɪv/
- Offensive
:
injurioso
- The vituperative remarks in his speech caused a scandal among his colleagues.
- vituperative attack
- vituperative rhetoric
Examples
-
If, as your location suggests, you are in Stockport, are you really qualified to respond in such a vituperative manner?
Blog text (19) -
Why do you now show such alacrity to joining them... after such vituperative criticism of them for so long?
-
And this is where Paul is in his most angry and most vituperative of just about all of his letters.
-
But he's done more damage than help in many ways because of the vituperative quality of his comments.
Academic text (2006) -
As anyone who has read a thoughtful article or news story can attest, bitter, vituperative responses usually follow.
Blog text (2) -
The Presbyterians, however, received at least as much vituperative rhetoric as they dished out.
Academic text (2000) -
The statement was also surrounded by a torrent of vituperative and hostile statements toward South Korea and President Kim Young-sam.
Academic text (2000) -
It is after the author dies, however, that Maugham's Amy Driffield comes under heavy vituperative attack.
Academic text (1990) -
Here's the article, the comments to which erupt in a lot of vituperative town-vs-gown New London crossfire.
Blog text (8) -
He was sure he detected Henry James, Sr.'s confrontational and fervently vituperative style.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
19
7.7
Very strong, harsh criticism that hurts or shocks people
10
9.3
Harsh, angry words that strongly hurt someone
10
9.9
Saying rude and untrue things to hurt someone's reputation
9
7.4
Being very sharp and unkind in speech or writing
9
8.4
Full of angry, bitter words in a speech or argument
8
8.2
Speech or writing that is harsh and likely to offend people
7
8.4
Very harsh and full of hate in speech or writing
7
7.1
Expressing harsh, biting criticism that hurts people or their confidence
2
6.5
Sharp, biting words that can hurt or shock people
1
8.7
Expressing sharp, often ironic criticism that can feel harsh
1
7.5
A harsh, bitter way of speaking that shows anger or criticism
Saying harsh, mean things that hurt people
Very insulting and likely to deeply offend people
Harsh or hurtful in a way that makes someone feel upset
Very critical and hurtful in speech or writing
Quick to say sharp things that hurt
Antonyms
How Abusive
Surface Forms
Morphology
vituperative = vituperate (semi-transparent) = vituperate + ive
Formally the adjective is derived from the verb 'vituperate' with the regular suffix '-ive', but the verb and the Latinate form are rare and formal, so average learners may not find it immediately transparent.
Etymology
The word vituperative comes from the Latin verb vituperare, meaning 'to blame' or 'to scold'. So, vituperative describes language that is full of harsh, insulting words meant to attack or blame someone.