vituperation

American  

[vahy-too-puh-rey-shuhn, -tyoo-, vi-] / vaɪˌtu pəˈreɪ ʃən, -ˌtyu-, vɪ- /

noun

1. verbal abuse or castigation; violent denunciation or condemnation.

   Synonyms:

   aspersion, defamation, scolding, spite, vilification, censure

   Antonyms:

   praise

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vituperation British  

/ -prətɪv, vɪˌtjuːpəˈreɪʃən, vɪˈtjuːpərətɪv /

noun

1. abusive language or venomous censure

2. the act of vituperating

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Other Word Forms

• vituperative adjective
• vituperatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of vituperation

1475–85; < Latin vituperātiōn- (stem of vituperātio ), equivalent to vituperāt ( us ) ( see vituperate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Vituperation is a noun that refers to critical, abusive language. It's always a messy scene when a political debate slips into vituperation. Vituperation is from the Latin root words vitium, meaning "a fault or defect," and parare, meaning provide, which combined to make vituperare meaning "disparage." Vituperation can also be used to refer to feelings of bitter resentment and deep-seated antipathy toward another — like your vituperation toward the meter maid who just placed that ticket on your windshield.

Example Sentences

In Whitehall, there is some hope the arrival of Lord Mandelson as the new British ambassador might help stem the flow of personal vituperation across the Atlantic.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

The trial’s opening act will likely feature much the same brand of petulance and vituperation from the defendant, now redirected to the jury selection process.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024

“They’re headed for a negotiation, so vituperation wouldn’t help that negotiation very much.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 30, 2017

It was perhaps the nadir of the vituperation hurled at Mann by often anonymous critics who accuse him and others of fabricating or exaggerating the dangers of climate change.

From The Guardian • Feb. 22, 2017

Whilst thus abstaining from giving provocation, I have become the object of slander, vituperation, and personal abuse which, were I capable of submitting to, I would prove myself worthy of the whole of it.

From Abraham Lincoln, Volume 1 (of 2) The True Story Of A Great Life by Herndon, William H.