harangue

American  

[huh-rang] / həˈræŋ /

noun

1. a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe.

2. a long, passionate, and vehement speech, especially one delivered before a public gathering.

3. any long, pompous speech or writing of a tediously hortatory or didactic nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse.

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verb (used with object)

harangues, present (3rd person singular) harangued, past participle, past haranguing present participle

1. to address in a harangue.

verb (used without object)

harangues, present (3rd person singular) harangued, past participle, past haranguing present participle

1. to deliver a harangue.

harangue British  

/ həˈræŋ /

verb

1. to address (a person or crowd) in an angry, vehement, or forcefully persuasive way

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noun

1. a loud, forceful, or angry speech

Synonym Usage

See speech

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unharangued
  adjective
• haranguer
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has harangued
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have harangued
  perfect
• has been haranguing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been haranguing
  perfect progressive
• are haranguing
  progressive
• harangues
  singular 3rd person
• is haranguing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am haranguing
  progressive 1st person singular
• haranguing
  participle

Past

• had harangued
  perfect
• was haranguing
  progressive singular
• harangued
  participle
• harangued
  simple
• were haranguing
  progressive plural
• had been haranguing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will harangue
  simple
• will have harangued
  perfect
• will be haranguing
  progressive
• will have been haranguing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of harangue

First recorded in 1530–40; (noun) from Middle French harangue. from Italian ar(r)inga “speech, oration,” noun derivative of ar(r)ingare “to speak in public,” verbal derivative of aringo “public square,” from unattested Gothic hriggs “ring” (verb) from Middle French haranguer, from Italian ar(r)ingare; see ring ¹

Explanation

A harangue is more than a speech, louder than a discussion, and nastier than a lecture. It is a verbal attack that doesn't let up, delivered as a verb or received as a noun. Either way, it's pretty unpleasant. The word harangue developed its modern spelling around 1530, when the word was recorded as harangue in French. The word, meaning a strong, nasty rant, appears to have evolved from the Old Italian word aringa, probably from the word for a public square or place for public speaking. This in turn appears to have evolved from a Germanic word related to ring, as in "circular gathering," which is clearly similar to the Italian meaning.

Example Sentences

But, in a public Harangue, the style of his successors the Gracchi was far more easy and lively: and yet, even in their time, the Roman Eloquence had not reached its perfection.

From Cicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker. by Jones, E.

Harangue de la pucelle Jeanne au roy pour l'induire à aller à Rheims.'

From Joan of Arc by Gower, Ronald Sutherland

Accordingly, he will give the portal of his Harangue a graceful appearance, and make the entrance to his cause as neat and splendid as the importance of it will permit.

From Cicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker. by Jones, E.

Harangue of Bastille Conquerors, come to 'renounce' any special recompense, any peculiar place at the solemnity;—since the Centre Grenadiers rather grumble.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

For freshness of style, lucidity, ingenuity, largeness of view, that opening Harangue of his was unsurpassable:—had not the subject-matter been so appalling.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

Related Words

• diatribe
• discourse
• jeremiad
• oration
• screed
• spiel
• tirade