diatribe

[ dahy-uh-trahyb ]

noun

1. a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism:

   repeated diatribes against the senator.

   Synonyms: harangue, tirade

diatribe

/ ˈdaɪəˌtraɪb /

noun

1. a bitter or violent criticism or attack; denunciation

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatribe¹

1575–85; < Latin diatriba < Greek diatribḗ pastime, study, discourse, derivative of diatríbein to rub away ( dia- dia- + tríbein to rub)

Word History and Origins

Origin of diatribe¹

C16: from Latin diatriba learned debate, from Greek diatribē discourse, pastime, from diatribein to while away, from dia- + tribein to rub

Example Sentences

Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Knowles, writes a diatribe against ‘ignorant self-hating’ critics who accused the singer of lightening her skin at the ‘Renaissance’ premiere.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, the consensus among experts seems to be that Vance's intention behind the "weird" diatribe was to casually disregard the legitimacy of climate science altogether.

From Salon

Within minutes of Judge Tanya Chutkan releasing the document, Trump sent out a string of Truth Social posts claiming that the filing was a plot concocted by Democrats to steal the election, a claim he repeated during a two-minute diatribe on NewsNation.

From Salon

Alencia Johnson, a former advisor to President Joe Biden's campaign, reacted on CNN with, "So disgusting" and noted the diatribe reminded her that Trump is a "predator."

From Salon

Fake MBA-holder and Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno went on a diatribe Friday calling concern about abortion rights "crazy."

From Salon

Related Words

• denunciation
• invective
• jeremiad
• screed
• tirade