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)

, ha·rangued, ha·rangu·ing.

1. to address in a harangue.

verb (used without object)

, ha·rangued, ha·rangu·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• haˈranguer, noun

Other Words From

• unha·rangued 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

Example Sentences

Just a few seconds on the receiving end of a harangue from such a fellow, whether at a surf break or the crag or the skin track, is enough to ruin an otherwise lovely day.

From Outside Online

Watch him unleash a magnificent, expletive-ridden rant—and be grateful for the Internet, where this harangue will live forever.

From The Daily Beast

He used to harangue any of the young men in Homs not participating in protests, recalled Moutlak.

From The Daily Beast

The occasion was a gala dinner during which Pinter began to harangue some unfortunate guest for his political views.

From The Daily Beast

I half-expected him to barnstorm out in riding boots and harangue us, Mussolini-style, underlit from a plinth.

From The Daily Beast

The last thing an incoming administration needs is to stage a long diplomatic harangue about nothing, inside an echo chamber.

From The Daily Beast

Il avoit sa belle robe soubs soy (car c'estoit en est), et se preparoit sa harangue funebre.

From Project Gutenberg

La harangue devoit finir en l'adieu et comploration commune de tous.

From Project Gutenberg

Voyez l'efficace du sacrement: le lendemain matin, il mande M. de Biancourt et moy, et de nouveau il recommence sa harangue.

From Project Gutenberg

There now is Sullivan, in a long harangue, following you in a determined opposition to our petition to the King.

From Project Gutenberg

In defiance of all decency, he went to Westminster Hall, demanded a hearing, and pronounced a harangue against standing armies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accost
• buttonhole