scurrilous

[skur-uh-luhs, skuhr-]

adjective

1. grossly or obscenely abusive.

   a scurrilous attack on the mayor.

   Synonyms: offensive, insulting, vituperative

2. characterized by or using low buffoonery; coarsely jocular or derisive.

   a scurrilous jest.

   Synonyms: vulgar

scurrilous

/ ˈskʌrɪləs, skəˈrɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. grossly or obscenely abusive or defamatory

2. characterized by gross or obscene humour

Other Word Forms

• scurrilously adverb
• scurrilousness noun
• scurrility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scurrilous¹

First recorded in 1570–80; scurrile + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of scurrilous¹

C16: from Latin scurrīlis derisive, from scurra buffoon

Example Sentences

Mayor Arturo Flores is battling a recall by opponents who claim on social media he’s a “reckless alcoholic” and abuses women while offering no evidence to back up the scurrilous claims.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One upshot was Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which to this day insulates social media from legal liability for the content — however incendiary or scurrilous — that users post.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Middlesbrough, who host Swansea in the Championship on Saturday, backed the "strongest possible action" being taken against "scurrilous individuals" who caused disorder in the town.

Read more on BBC

The defense has suggested that Trump was trying to protect his family, not his campaign, by squelching what he says were false, scurrilous claims.

Read more on Seattle Times

His defense has suggested that Trump was trying to protect his family — not his campaign — by squelching what he says were false, scurrilous claims.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• defamatory 
• indecent 
• insulting 
• lewd 
• obscene 
• offending www.thesaurus.com
• outrageous 
• salacious 
• scandalous 
• slanderous