tirade

[ tahy-reyd, tahy-reyd ]

noun

1. a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation:

   a tirade against smoking.

2. a long, vehement speech:

   a tirade in the Senate.

   Synonyms: diatribe, harangue

3. a passage dealing with a single theme or idea, as in poetry:

   the stately tirades of Corneille.

tirade

/ taɪˈreɪd /

noun

1. a long angry speech or denunciation
2. rare.
   prosody a speech or passage dealing with a single theme

Word History and Origins

Origin of tirade¹

1795–1805; < French: literally, a stretch, (continuous) pulling < Italian tirata, noun use of feminine of tirato, past participle of tirare to draw, pull, fire (a shot), of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of tirade¹

C19: from French, literally: a pulling, from Italian tirata, from tirare to pull, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The three-hour bull session allowed the Republican nominee to launch fact-light tirades, including a riff about children undergoing sex change operations at school, along with boasts about his own toughness with adversaries such as China.

From Los Angeles Times

They said Hinchcliffe's speech was a “vile racist tirade against Latinos.”

From Salon

He shared his tirade a day after a Yankees fan caught heat for interfering with Dodgers star Mookie Betts in Game 4.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after Bradshaw broke up with Ali, he launched into profane and violent tirades via text messages, according to her restraining order application.

From Los Angeles Times

She found Billy Schmitt II, absorbed an expletive-filled tirade, and made friends with his dog, who turned out to be adorable.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• denunciation
• diatribe
• harangue
• invective
• ranting
• screed
• sermon