harangue

[huh-rang]

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.

verb (used with object)

harangued, haranguing 

1. to address in a harangue.

verb (used without object)

harangued, haranguing 

1. to deliver a harangue.

harangue

/ həˈræŋ /

verb

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

noun

1. a loud, forceful, or angry speech

Other Word Forms

• haranguer noun
• unharangued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of harangue¹

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; ring ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of harangue¹

C15: from Old French, from Old Italian aringa public speech, probably of Germanic origin; related to Medieval Latin harenga; see _harry , _ring ¹

Synonym Study

See speech

Related Words

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