vituperation

[vahy-too-puh-rey-shuhn, -tyoo-, vi-]

noun

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

   Synonyms: aspersion, defamation, scolding, spite, vilification, censure
   Antonyms: praise

vituperation

/ -prətɪv, vɪˌtjuːpəˈreɪʃən, vɪˈtjuːpərətɪv /

noun

1. abusive language or venomous censure

2. the act of vituperating

Other Word Forms

• vituperative adjective
• vituperatively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vituperation¹

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

Example Sentences

She has stanched some of the vituperation in recent days, though questions about her political future leading the nation’s second-largest city still remain.

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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.

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As these things go, the tweet exposes Hotez to public vituperation on social media and possibly physical harm.

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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.

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At one point, Jonathan calls Cairo a genius because she can capably use the word “vituperation” in a sentence.

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