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

Derived Forms

• vituperatively
  adverb
• vituperative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of vituperation

1475–85; < Latin vituperātiōn- (stem of vituperātio ), equivalent to vituperāt ( us ) ( see 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.