vituperation

American  

[vahy-too-puh-rey-shuhn, -tyoo-, vi-] / vaɪˌtu pəˈreɪ ʃən, -ˌtyu-, vɪ- /

noun

1. verbal abuse or castigation; violent denunciation or condemnation.

   Synonyms:

   aspersion, defamation, scolding, spite, vilification, censure

   Antonyms:

   praise

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vituperation British  

/ -prətɪv, vɪˌtjuːpəˈreɪʃən, vɪˈtjuːpərətɪv /

noun

1. abusive language or venomous censure

2. the act of vituperating

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Other Word Forms

• vituperative adjective
• vituperatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of vituperation

1475–85; < Latin vituperātiōn- (stem of vituperātio ), equivalent to vituperāt ( us ) ( vituperate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

In Whitehall, there is some hope the arrival of Lord Mandelson as the new British ambassador might help stem the flow of personal vituperation across the Atlantic.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

As I’ve written, to advance this campaign the subcommittee has placed respected scientists in the dock and showered them with public vituperation, misrepresented their research and ridiculed the scientific method.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Davies remembers how strongly people felt: “I would go home in a taxi, and this vituperation would pour out about what a scandalous waste of money the Dome was.”

From The Guardian • Mar. 12, 2020

“They’re headed for a negotiation, so vituperation wouldn’t help that negotiation very much.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 30, 2017

Pickersdyke had left his commanding officer without betraying the resentment which he felt, but in the privacy of his own room, however, he allowed himself the luxury of vituperation.

From Servants of the Guns by Jeffery, Jeffery E.