vituperative

American  

[vahy-too-per-uh-tiv, -puh-rey-tiv, -tyoo-, vi-] / vaɪˈtu pər ə tɪv, -pəˌreɪ tɪv, -ˈtyu-, vɪ- /

adjective

1. characterized by or of the nature of vituperation.

   vituperative remarks.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvituperative adjective
• nonvituperatively adverb
• unvituperative adjective
• unvituperatively adverb
• unvituperativeness noun
• vituperatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of vituperative

First recorded in 1720–30; vituperate + -ive

Explanation

Use the adjective vituperative to describe criticism that's so sharp it hurts. A vituperative review of a movie would make the director bitter for months. To correctly pronounce vituperative, remember that the first vowel sound is the long i sound, and the second syllable is accented: "vie-TOO-per-uh-tive." Being vituperative takes criticism to the next level. Vituperative criticism is harsh, scathing, even abusive. If a review or assessment is vituperative, it doesn't say "try harder next time." Instead it gives the sense of "go away and never come back."

Example Sentences

The initiative text is replete with vituperative language attacking personal injury lawyers as a class.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

Cooper had a more adventurous career than his vituperative “château years” might suggest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Whether Angela Merkel, an avid Wagner fan, is familiar with this vituperative statement is unclear, but its sentiments would hardly come as a surprise to her.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2021

“On both sides, there’s really a lack of information. That’s why we have such extensive discussions and, in some cases, vituperative discussions,” Perlman said.

From Washington Post • Jun. 20, 2021

Where there are vituperative priority disputes, ways of resolving them must be sought.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton