invective

[ in-vek-tiv ]
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noun
  1. vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach.

  2. a railing accusation; vituperation.

  1. an insulting or abusive word or expression.

adjective
  1. vituperative; denunciatory; censoriously abusive.

Origin of invective

1
1400–50; late Middle English <Late Latin invectīvus abusive, equivalent to Latin invect(us) (past participle of invehī to attack with words, inveigh) + -īvus-ive

synonym study For invective

1. See abuse.

Other words for invective

Other words from invective

  • in·vec·tive·ly, adverb
  • in·vec·tive·ness, noun
  • un·in·vec·tive, adjective

Words Nearby invective

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How to use invective in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for invective

invective

/ (ɪnˈvɛktɪv) /


noun
  1. vehement accusation or denunciation, esp of a bitterly abusive or sarcastic kind

adjective
  1. characterized by or using abusive language, bitter sarcasm, etc

Origin of invective

1
C15: from Late Latin invectīvus reproachful, scolding, from Latin invectus carried in; see inveigh

Derived forms of invective

  • invectively, adverb
  • invectiveness, noun

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