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Definition of vituperationnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word vituperation distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of vituperation are abuse, billingsgate, invective, and obloquy. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

When is it sensible to use abuse instead of vituperation?

The meanings of abuse and vituperation largely overlap; however, abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When is billingsgate a more appropriate choice than vituperation?

While in some cases nearly identical to vituperation, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

In what contexts can invective take the place of vituperation?

In some situations, the words invective and vituperation are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When could obloquy be used to replace vituperation?

The words obloquy and vituperation are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vituperation Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024 The politicization of the COVID response has only worsened this trend, likely resulting in part from Trump’s vituperation. Matt Motta, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024 The vituperation has spilled over into the Wellington protests. Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Feb. 2022 What had whipped these imperious creative artists into a frenzy of dismissive vituperation was, in fact, something that most people have strong ideas about, nobody can define, and virtually everyone (besides that trio) seems to want: good taste. Daniel Mendelsohn, Town & Country, 20 Sep. 2021 Metaphorically likening Charlottesville to a rapist is a baseless vituperation against Charlottesville’s character, even more outlandish when the mayor herself is the vituperator. George Messenger, National Review, 30 Mar. 2021 Unflinchingly conservative, wildly partisan, bombastically self-promoting and larger than life, Limbaugh galvanized listeners for more than 30 years with his talent for vituperation and sarcasm. Matt Sedensky, Star Tribune, 17 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vituperation
Noun
  • The child's mother reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
  • On one hand, some argue that Good was attempting to leave the scene, and a trigger-happy ICE agent fired his weapon at her, an abuse of authority.
    Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In an invective posted to the Truth Social platform on Thanksgiving, President Trump used a slur for people with intellectual disabilities to describe Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
    Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025
  • In Congo, Tutsis face widespread discrimination and bigoted invective.
    Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In what could be a scene straight out of the official Netflix movie, a comment intended as an insult instead galvanized the troops.
    Natalie Jarvey, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The article does not even state the names of all the candidates in the race, an insult to those who polled higher than Leon.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • And cornerback Mike Jackson, who had four pass breakups and an interception in the playoff game, dismissed criticism of Evero’s play-calling on the defense’s final drive.
    Mike Kaye Updated January 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
  • The couple, who did not grow up knowing one another because of estrangements in their families, faced criticism from both sets of parents for the union.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Vituperation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperation. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on vituperation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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