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

Derived Forms

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

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."