vituperate

[ vahy-too-puh-reyt, -tyoo-, vi- ]

verb (used with object)

, vi·tu·per·at·ed, vi·tu·per·at·ing.

1. to address with harsh or abusive language; revile.

   Synonyms: berate, vilify, censure

   Antonyms: commend, praise

vituperate

/ vɪˈtjuːpəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to berate or rail (against) abusively; revile

Derived Forms

• viˈtuperˌator, noun

Other Words From

• vi·tuper·ator noun
• unvi·tuper·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vituperate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin vituperātus (past participle of vituperāre “to spoil, blame”), equivalent to vituperā(re) ( vitu-, variant stem of vitium “defect, blemish, vice” + -perāre, combining form of parāre “to furnish, provide”; prepare ) + -tus past participle suffix; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vituperate¹

C16: from Latin vituperāre to blame, from vitium a defect + parāre to make

Example Sentences

Moore, he said, recognized that the school district was using textbooks “to denigrate their parental authority, to deride the values upon which this country has been built, to mock, sneer, vituperate.”

From Washington Post

In their attitudes and actions, Republicans routinely curse the Constitution, profane America’s ideals and vituperate its values.

From Seattle Times

They vituperate even though what she and Sanders have said is, well, true.

From The Guardian

It is considered almost universally acceptable to abuse and vituperate the agency.

From New York Times

He could offer no counter argument to them, but continued to vituperate the sins of the white people.

From Project Gutenberg