animadvert

American  

[an-uh-mad-vurt] / ˌæn ə mædˈvɜrt /

verb (used without object)

1. to comment unfavorably or critically (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to animadvert at length upon his faulty use of English.

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verb (used with object)

1. Obsolete. to take cognizance or notice of.

animadvert British  

/ ˌænɪmædˈvɜːt /

verb

1. to comment with strong criticism (upon); make censorious remarks (about)

2. to make an observation or comment

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Other Word Forms

• animadverter noun

Etymology

Origin of animadvert

1630–40; < Latin animadvertere to heed, censure, equivalent to anim ( um ), accusative of animus ( animus ) + advertere to advert ¹

Explanation

When you animadvert upon something, you criticize it openly and harshly. A high school debater might animadvert on the subject of the death penalty, for example. The verb animadvert is a great word to use when you need a formal way to talk about a public condemnation of something or someone. A tourist might animadvert upon the entire country of Italy after a disappointing vacation there, or a politician might take advantage of a public forum to animadvert on the issue of high taxes. The Latin root word is animadvertere, "to notice or take cognizance of," or "to censure, blame, or punish."

Example Sentences

I have heard others’ stories and recorded them in these pages; there is no need to animadvert to my own.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

There is no need to animadvert to the deeds of that day, which shall resound, for weal or woe, as long as this terrestrial globe has habitation.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Just as moralists have often animadverted upon the tendency to live in the future, so I would animadvert upon the tendency to live in the past.

From Mental Efficiency And Other Hints to Men and Women by Bennett, Arnold

This leads me to animadvert on an erroneous inference which hegelian idealism makes from the form of the negative judgment.

From The Will to Believe : and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by James, William

Episcopal injunctions not infrequently animadvert against this irreverent treatment of the offices.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen

Related Words

• assert
• clarify
• conclude
• criticize
• disclose
• explain
• expound
• express
• mention
• note
• notice
• observe
• point out
• reflect
• say