BILLINGSGATE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'billingsgate' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of billingsgate are abuse , invective , obloquy , and vituperation . While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. // directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Q: When is 'abuse' a more appropriate choice than 'billingsgate'?

The synonyms abuse and billingsgate are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse , the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. // scathing verbal abuse

Q: In what contexts can 'invective' take the place of 'billingsgate'?

In some situations, the words invective and billingsgate are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. // blistering political invective

Q: When could 'obloquy' be used to replace 'billingsgate'?

The words obloquy and billingsgate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. // subjected to obloquy and derision

Q: Where would 'vituperation' be a reasonable alternative to 'billingsgate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to billingsgate , vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. // a torrent of vituperation

billingsgate

noun

ˈbi-liŋz-ˌgāt

Definition of billingsgate

as in abuse

harsh insulting language the intemperate billingsgate to which the staff in customer service were sometimes subjected

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How is the word billingsgate distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of billingsgate are abuse, invective, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When is abuse a more appropriate choice than billingsgate?

The synonyms abuse and billingsgate are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

In what contexts can invective take the place of billingsgate?

In some situations, the words invective and billingsgate are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When could obloquy be used to replace billingsgate?

The words obloquy and billingsgate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Where would vituperation be a reasonable alternative to billingsgate?

While in some cases nearly identical to billingsgate, vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for billingsgate

Noun

Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse four months after her arrest and received the same punishment as Hildebrandt: four consecutive 15-year sentences.

— Emily Blackwood, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
The footage also shows the now obligatory abuse, as the wheeled warrior continuously rights itself as it gets pushed around.

— Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025

Definition of abuse

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