revile

[ ri-vahyl ]

verb (used with object)

, re·viled, re·vil·ing.

1. to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak of abusively.

   Synonyms: disparage, berate, vituperate, vilify, abuse

verb (used without object)

, re·viled, re·vil·ing.

1. to speak abusively.

revile

/ rɪˈvaɪl /

verb

1. to use abusive or scornful language against (someone or something)

Derived Forms

• reˈviler, noun
• reˈvilement, noun

Other Words From

• re·vile·ment noun
• re·vil·er noun
• re·vil·ing·ly adverb
• un·re·vil·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revile¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English revilen, from Middle French reviler; re-, vile

Word History and Origins

Origin of revile¹

C14: from Old French reviler , from re- + vil vile

Example Sentences

But his economy is in peril and the people who support him today may well revile him tomorrow.

From The Daily Beast

And one day, perhaps, the conservatives who today revile John Roberts will give him his due.

From The Daily Beast

While Democrats tend to revile their losing candidates, Republicans revere theirs.

From The Daily Beast

He would set impositions of unprecedented length, and revile himself for ruining the victim's handwriting.

From Project Gutenberg

They praise that which they know, they revile that which they know not.

From Project Gutenberg

The public were p. 158appealed to on the subject; pamphlets were written and newspapers were hired to revile the railway.

From Project Gutenberg

We had a bugle player who played revile when the German Camp Commander and his group came in every morning.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as they arrived Inside the wire he would start playing a swinging revile.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• berate
• castigate
• chide
• criticize
• denounce
• disparage
• scorn
• vilify