revile

[ri-vahyl]

verb (used with object)

reviled, reviling 

1. to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak of abusively.

   Synonyms: disparage, berate, vituperate, vilify, abuse

verb (used without object)

reviled, reviling 

1. to speak abusively.

revile

/ rɪˈvaɪl /

verb

1. to use abusive or scornful language against (someone or something)

Other Word Forms

• revilement noun
• reviler noun
• revilingly adverb
• unreviling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revile¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English revilen, from Middle French reviler; re-, vile

Word History and Origins

Origin of revile¹

C14: from Old French reviler , from _re- + vil _vile

Example Sentences

Fonda’s most noteworthy and reviled political moment occurred the same year, when she was photographed by the North Vietnamese sitting atop an antiaircraft gun.

From Los Angeles Times

But why did thousands of people travel miles to the heart of Westminster to march with a man reviled by mainstream politics – carrying a banner calling for Remigration Now?

From BBC

His political opponents however say he is antagonising Beijing which reviles Lai as a "separatist", and that he is leading Taiwan towards greater conflict with China.

From BBC

Cops continue to be near-universally reviled, with federal surveys showing that 9 out of 10 Mexicans don’t trust the police.

From Los Angeles Times

The president he killed is no less divisive, lauded for his country's economic rise and reviled for his authoritarian rule.

From BBC

Related Words

• berate 
• castigate 
• chide 
• criticize 
• denounce 
• disparage 
• scorn 
• vilify