animadvert

American  

[an-uh-mad-vurt] / ˌæn ə mædˈvɜrt /

verb (used without object)

1. to comment unfavorably or critically (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to animadvert at length upon his faulty use of English.

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verb (used with object)

1. Obsolete. to take cognizance or notice of.

animadvert British  

/ ˌænɪmædˈvɜːt /

verb

1. to comment with strong criticism (upon); make censorious remarks (about)

2. to make an observation or comment

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Other Word Forms

• animadverter noun

Etymology

Origin of animadvert

1630–40; < Latin animadvertere to heed, censure, equivalent to anim ( um ), accusative of animus ( animus ) + advertere to advert ¹

Explanation

When you animadvert upon something, you criticize it openly and harshly. A high school debater might animadvert on the subject of the death penalty, for example. The verb animadvert is a great word to use when you need a formal way to talk about a public condemnation of something or someone. A tourist might animadvert upon the entire country of Italy after a disappointing vacation there, or a politician might take advantage of a public forum to animadvert on the issue of high taxes. The Latin root word is animadvertere, "to notice or take cognizance of," or "to censure, blame, or punish."

Example Sentences

There is no need to animadvert to the deeds of that day, which shall resound, for weal or woe, as long as this terrestrial globe has habitation.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

I have heard others’ stories and recorded them in these pages; there is no need to animadvert to my own.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

The censors are privileged to animadvert on the conduct even of the emperor himself; to censure the manner in which all other officials perform or neglect their duties and to denounce them to the throne.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2 "Chicago, University of" to "Chiton" by Various

It would take up too much time to animadvert upon all the rest of your male and female characters.

From Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela (1754) by Anonymous

I might pause here a moment to animadvert on the unreasonableness of the vulgar prejudice which almost everywhere prevails against calomel.

From Forty Years in the Wilderness of Pills and Powders Cogitations and Confessions of an Aged Physician by Alcott, William A. (William Andrus)

Related Words

• assert
• clarify
• conclude
• criticize
• disclose
• explain
• expound
• express
• mention
• note
• notice
• observe
• point out
• reflect
• say