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to vituperate

to vituperate

9.9
To criticize someone angrily using harsh words
  • verb
  • /vaɪˈtjuːpəreɪt/
  • Offensive
translation icon : vituperar
  • He tends to vituperate whenever he is upset.

Examples

  • She refused to vituperate her political opponents, preferring a more dignified approach.

  • It was unprofessional for the manager to vituperate his staff in front of customers.

  • Some critics tend to vituperate new artists rather than offer constructive feedback.

  • Why do you always vituperate your colleagues?

  • The angry coach began to vituperate his players after they lost the game.

  • During the debate, she didn't hold back and chose to vituperate her opponent's policies.

  • It was surprising to hear him vituperate his colleague so harshly in front of everyone.

Synonyms

to abuse
vsto vituperate
  • Offensive
95 4.2

To say rude or insulting words to someone to hurt them

is harsher and more insulting than a mere angry rebuke
to scold
vsto vituperate
55 2.2

Speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong

is harsher and more insulting than a simple angry rebuke
to vilify
vsto vituperate
43 7.9

To say or write bad things about someone to harm them

aims at harsh personal rebuke rather than damaging reputation
to rail
vsto vituperate
42 7.1

To complain angrily about something

targets angry complaint about issues rather than personal harsh rebuke
to berate
vsto vituperate
36 7.2

Scold someone angrily and severely

is similar but may add insulting language instead of only rebuke
to assault
vsto vituperate
29 5.8

To attack someone strongly in speech or writing

is mainly a harsh rebuke rather than a broad verbal attack
to revile
vsto vituperate
  • Offensive
23 8.2

To say angry, insulting things about someone or something

tends to be a harsh rebuke rather than only angry insults
to scorch
vsto vituperate
15 7.3

To severely criticize someone or something

is aimed at angry rebuke rather than formal denunciation
to castigate
vsto vituperate
  • Formal
14 8.8

To criticize or punish someone very harshly

usually means harsh rebuke rather than formal punishment
to lambast
vsto vituperate
12 8.2

To criticize someone very strongly and angrily

is about harsh angry rebuke rather than formal punishment
to let someone have it
vsto vituperate
  • Informal
11 8.1

To angrily tell someone off

is about harsh verbal rebuke rather than formal punishment
to excoriate
vsto vituperate
  • Literature
9 9.8

To criticize someone or something very harshly in public

often occurs as harsh rebuke not always publicly
to harangue
vsto vituperate
7 8.9

To speak angrily to someone for a long time

is typically a long forceful speech rather than a short harsh rebuke
to harsh on
vsto vituperate
  • Informal
7 5.8

Criticize someone in a very unkind way

is a harsher, more insulting rebuke rather than milder unkind treatment
to talk trash
vsto vituperate
  • Offensive
5 7.5

Say insulting, bragging words to make someone angry or nervous

is aimed at provocation or boasting rather than serious rebuke
to upbraid
vsto vituperate
  • Formal
3 8.8

To scold someone strongly for something they did wrong

is similar but often uses more insulting language than formal reproach
to tear someone a new one
vsto vituperate
  • Offensive
3 9.8

To scold someone very harshly

is similar but not always as vulgar or extremely insulting
to inveigh
vsto vituperate
  • Formal
2 9.9

To speak or write strongly against something

is aimed at issues with strong hostility rather than direct personal rebuke
to lambaste
vsto vituperate
1 8.0

To criticize someone or something very strongly in public

leans more toward angry rebuke than public shaming
to scald
vsto vituperate
1 8.1

To criticize someone or something very harshly

leans more toward angry rebuke than measured denunciation
to call down
vsto vituperate
  • Informal
1 6.8

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

often means an angry rebuke not a prolonged public attack
to vilipend
vsto vituperate
  • Archaic
9.9

To treat someone or something as unimportant and not worth much

aims at harsh angry rebuke rather than simply lowering worth
to pillorize
vsto vituperate
  • US
9.9

To say bad things about someone in public to make them feel ashamed

focuses on public humiliation rather than private harsh rebuke
to throw brickbats
vsto vituperate
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

is more about severe personal rebuke than public attacks
to clapperclaw
vsto vituperate
  • Offensive
9.9

To attack someone with angry words

leans toward angry rebuke rather than general verbal attack
to read to filth
vsto vituperate
  • Offensive
9.9

Strongly insult someone in front of others to embarrass them

is mainly a harsh rebuke rather than a cruel thorough takedown
piece of someone's mind
vsto vituperate
  • Informal
7.5

Tell someone angrily that you are unhappy with them

is harsher and more attacking than blunt personal expression
to speak with venom
vsto vituperate
7.8

Say angry, cruel things about someone

is a harsh rebuke focusing on criticism rather than spite

Antonyms

67 4.4

To praise someone or something for good work

How Harsh

to vilify
43 7.9
to vituperate
  • Offensive
9.9
rebuke
22 6.8
to scold
55 2.2
to reproach
8 6.5
to criticize
701 3.3

Surface Forms

vituperate infinitive
vituperated past participle
vituperating present participle
vituperates third person singular

Morphology

vituperate = vituper + ate

A Latin-derived verb formed with the Latinate suffix '-ate'; the root 'vituper-' is not a standalone or familiar English base, so learners cannot reliably infer the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Vituperate comes from the Latin vituperare and its root vitium, which means 'fault' or 'vice' and is the same root as the English word vice. So, to vituperate is to speak very harshly about someone's faults.