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

For Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., the cruelty of her new anti-trans diatribe against Rep.-elect Sarah McBride is just the means to an end: getting on TV, her former aide alleged on social media.

From Salon

So when you first meet her, she gives you the diatribe of, “Yes, I’ve always been green. I didn’t eat grass as a child. I’m not seasick.”

From Los Angeles Times

That was followed by Alpha Male diatribes on book banning, the Black “Little Mermaid,” Trump’s mug shot, ruminations on Hunter Biden’s laptop and swipes at President Biden, whom he calls “Papa Long Hugs.”

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, increasing numbers of Americans have a media diet that is mostly a bunch of lies, conspiracy theories, irrelevant diatribes and other such bunkum that right-wing propagandists use to deceive people.

From Salon

Most of the racist diatribes at Trump's New York City rally were not jokes.

From Salon

Related Words

• denunciation
• invective
• jeremiad
• screed
• tirade