obloquy

[ob-luh-kwee]

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noun, plural ob·lo·quies.

censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, especially by numerous persons or by the general public.

discredit, disgrace, or bad repute resulting from public blame, abuse, or denunciation.

Origin of obloquy

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin obloquium contradiction, equivalent to Latin obloqu(ī) to contradict (ob- ob- + loquī to speak) + -ium -ium

Related formsob·lo·qui·al

[o-bloh-kwee-uhl] /ɒˈbloʊ kwi əl/, adjective

Synonyms for obloquy

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1. reproach, calumny; aspersion, revilement.

Antonyms for obloquy

1. praise. 2. credit.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for obloquy

criticism, animadversion, ignominy, humiliation, aspersion, defamation, invective, censure, insult, slander, abuse, disgrace, reproach, vituperation

Examples from the Web for obloquy

Historical Examples of obloquy

"Much they care for all the ridicule and all the obloquy you can throw on them," replied the reader.
Sir Jasper Carew
Charles James Lever
Of the obloquy he has brought upon his own country I do not speak.
Cornelius O'Dowd Upon Men And Women And Other Things In General
Charles Lever
Our prisoner, as an added mark of obloquy, was to be crucified between them.
The Centurion's Story
David James Burrell
He thought no more of him, and we were set up as a mark of every kind of obloquy.
Perils and Captivity
Charlotte-Adlade [ne Picard] Dard
Why, then, has her memory been covered through centuries with scorn and obloquy?
The Reign of Mary Tudor
W. Llewelyn Williams.

British Dictionary definitions for obloquy

obloquy

noun plural -quies

defamatory or censorious statements, esp when directed against one person

disgrace brought about by public abuse

Word Origin for obloquy

C15: from Latin obloquium contradiction, from ob- against + loquī to speak

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

Word Origin and History for obloquy

mid-15c., "evil speaking," from Late Latin obloquium "speaking against, contradiction," from Latin obloqui "to speak against, contradict," from ob "against" (see ob-) + loqui "to speak," from PIE *tolk(w)- "to speak" (see locution). Related: Obloquious.