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View synonyms for invective

invective

[ in-vek-tiv ]

noun

  1. vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach.

    Synonyms: scorn, contumely

  2. a railing accusation; vituperation.
  3. an insulting or abusive word or expression.


adjective

  1. vituperative; denunciatory; censoriously abusive.

invective

/ ɪnˈvɛktɪv /

noun

  1. vehement accusation or denunciation, esp of a bitterly abusive or sarcastic kind
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. characterized by or using abusive language, bitter sarcasm, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • inˈvectively, adverb
  • inˈvectiveness, noun
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Other Words From

  • in·vective·ly adverb
  • in·vective·ness noun
  • unin·vective adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of invective1

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin invectīvus abusive, equivalent to Latin invect ( us ) (past participle of invehī to attack with words, inveigh ) + -īvus -ive
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Word History and Origins

Origin of invective1

C15: from Late Latin invectīvus reproachful, scolding, from Latin invectus carried in; see inveigh
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Synonym Study

See abuse.
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Example Sentences

It’s easy to ridicule and dismiss a Kremlin opponent hurling invective from abroad, but much more difficult to do so when he does so from within the lion’s den.

From Time

The local government, despite all the invective directed at its leadership, seems to be functioning normally for the moment.

As an insult, which is absolutely what it is, it satisfyingly rolls off the tongue, as all invective should.

Compliments would earn their deliverer a stream of invective, while an insult or dirty joke “would earn his respect.”

A lot of invective has been thrown their way, but that one company spends about $50 million a year on R&D.

Her piece is a colorful collection of insults, long on invective and heavy on the adjectives.

Most's explanation, full of bitter invective, suggested hostile personal feeling.

If he had lost a son, he had found, what he seems to have prized quite as much, a fertile theme for invective.

If Maria does not take care, I shall write a much sharper invective against her, for not answering my Diabolical book.

It was when one of the table-legs overturned the swill-pail that the long pent-up storm burst in a torrent of invective.

The struggle was over, and Fox vented his rage and disappointment in a speech of unmeasured invective.

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invectedinveigh