revile

[ ri-vahyl ]

verb (used with object)

, re·viled, re·vil·ing.

1. to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak of abusively.

   Synonyms: disparage, berate, vituperate, vilify, abuse

verb (used without object)

, re·viled, re·vil·ing.

1. to speak abusively.

revile

/ rɪˈvaɪl /

verb

1. to use abusive or scornful language against (someone or something)

Derived Forms

• reˈvilement, noun
• reˈviler, noun

Other Words From

• re·vile·ment noun
• re·vil·er noun
• re·vil·ing·ly adverb
• un·re·vil·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revile¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English revilen, from Middle French reviler; re-, vile

Word History and Origins

Origin of revile¹

C14: from Old French reviler , from re- + vil vile

Example Sentences

Critics revile them for inflating housing costs, upending neighborhoods and contributing to the forces pushing locals and Native Hawaiians to leave Hawaii for less expensive states.

From Seattle Times

Gershman predicted Trump will be made to pay the "paltry fine" the judge is likely to impose and then "continue to revile the system and revel in his notoriety."

From Salon

Published this month by the University of Georgia Press, Thurmond’s book makes a case that Oglethorpe evolved to revile slavery and, unlike most white Europeans of his time, saw the humanity in enslaved Africans.

From Seattle Times

Sitting in a living room with martyr posters of Abu Mohammad’s relatives who were killed while fighting together with the Palestinian security forces they both now revile, Abu Mohammad and Abu Hamzeh — the two men’s noms de guerre — complained at length about how the Palestinian Authority’s economic policies had plunged people into debt and poverty, forcing them to rely on handouts rather than fight the occupation.

From Los Angeles Times

Her life of looking closely at those we would rather revile or ignore has earned her attention in return.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• berate
• castigate
• chide
• criticize
• denounce
• disparage
• scorn
• vilify