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revile

[ri-vahyl]
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verb (used with object), re·viled, re·vil·ing.
  1. to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak of abusively.
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verb (used without object), re·viled, re·vil·ing.
  1. to speak abusively.
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Origin of revile

1275–1325; Middle English revilen < Middle French reviler. See re-, vile
Related formsre·vile·ment, nounre·vil·er, nounre·vil·ing·ly, adverbun·re·viled, adjectiveun·re·vil·ing, adjective

Synonyms for revile

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1. abuse, vilify, vituperate, berate, disparage.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for revile

vilify, denounce, chide, berate, criticize, castigate, scorn, disparage, ream, reprobate, reproach, denigrate, vituperate, blame, admonish, abuse, lambaste, reprimand, censure, lecture

Examples from the Web for revile

Contemporary Examples of revile

Historical Examples of revile

  • We revile them for it and proceed to make moral monsters of our own children.

  • Nay, I will say no ill of the man; to revile one more fortunate is poor argument.

    Fair Margaret

    H. Rider Haggard

  • But we are bound not to revile him, as he in sober truth never reviled us.

    The Arena

    Various

  • To Achilles and Ulysses he was particularly hostile, for these two he used to revile.

  • Thinking that he was some suppliant, he began to revile him and order him to be gone.

    Morning Star

    H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for revile

revile

verb
  1. to use abusive or scornful language against (someone or something)
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Derived Formsrevilement, nounreviler, noun

Word Origin for revile

C14: from Old French reviler, from re- + vil vile
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 revile

v.

c.1300, from Old French reviler "consider vile, despise, scorn," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + aviler "make vile or cheap, disesteem," from vil (see vile). Related: Reviled; reviling.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper