vituperate

verb

vi·​tu·​per·​ate vī-ˈtü-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce vituperate (audio)
və-,
-ˈtyü-
vituperated; vituperating
Synonyms of vituperatenext

transitive verb

: to abuse or censure severely or abusively : berate

intransitive verb

: to use harsh condemnatory language
vituperator
vī-ˈtü-pə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce vituperate (audio)
və-
-ˈtyü-
noun

Did you know?

Vituperate has several close synonyms, including berate and revile. Berate usually refers to scolding that is drawn out and abusive. Revile means to attack or criticize in a way prompted by anger or hatred. Vituperate can be used as a transitive or intransitive verb and adds to the meaning of revile by stressing an attack that is particularly harsh or unrelenting. It first appeared in English in the mid-16th century and can be traced back to two Latin words: the noun vitium, meaning "fault," and the verb parare, meaning "to make or prepare."

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for vituperate

scold, upbraid, berate, rail, revile, vituperate mean to reproach angrily and abusively.

scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Examples of vituperate in a Sentence

every week the minister would ascend the pulpit and vituperate the parishioners for a litany of vices

Word History

Etymology

Latin vituperatus, past participle of vituperare, from vitium fault + parare to make, prepare — more at pare

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of vituperate was in 1542

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near vituperate

vituline

vituperate

vituperation

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Vituperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vituperate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

vituperate

verb
vi·​tu·​per·​ate vī-ˈt(y)ü-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce vituperate (audio)
və-
vituperated; vituperating
: to criticize harshly : scold
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...