vituperation

American  

[vahy-too-puh-rey-shuhn, -tyoo-, vi-] / vaɪˌtu pəˈreɪ ʃən, -ˌtyu-, vɪ- /

noun

1. verbal abuse or castigation; violent denunciation or condemnation.

   Synonyms:

   aspersion, defamation, scolding, spite, vilification, censure

   Antonyms:

   praise

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vituperation British  

/ -prətɪv, vɪˌtjuːpəˈreɪʃən, vɪˈtjuːpərətɪv /

noun

1. abusive language or venomous censure

2. the act of vituperating

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Other Word Forms

• vituperative adjective
• vituperatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of vituperation

1475–85; < Latin vituperātiōn- (stem of vituperātio ), equivalent to vituperāt ( us ) ( vituperate ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Vituperation is a noun that refers to critical, abusive language. It's always a messy scene when a political debate slips into vituperation. Vituperation is from the Latin root words vitium, meaning "a fault or defect," and parare, meaning provide, which combined to make vituperare meaning "disparage." Vituperation can also be used to refer to feelings of bitter resentment and deep-seated antipathy toward another — like your vituperation toward the meter maid who just placed that ticket on your windshield.

Example Sentences

In Whitehall, there is some hope the arrival of Lord Mandelson as the new British ambassador might help stem the flow of personal vituperation across the Atlantic.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

The trial’s opening act will likely feature much the same brand of petulance and vituperation from the defendant, now redirected to the jury selection process.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024

Davies remembers how strongly people felt: “I would go home in a taxi, and this vituperation would pour out about what a scandalous waste of money the Dome was.”

From The Guardian • Mar. 12, 2020

There’s a lot of vituperation, especially in this town, which is sad.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2018

And he was himself so perfect a master of vituperation that he did not need to thank Cicero for his having done that office for him in regard to Clodia.

From The Roman Poets of the Republic by Sellar, W. Y.