Vituperate

/vɪˈtjuːpəɹeɪt/ · verb

Meaning

To criticize (someone or something) in an abusive or harsh manner..

Definitions by Sense

1. To criticize (someone or something) in an abusive or harsh manner.
2. To attack (someone or something) with abusive language; to revile, to vilify.
3. (intransitive) To use abusive or harsh words.
4. Of, characterized by, or relating to abusive or harsh criticism.
5. (rare) Which has been abusively or harshly criticized; also, deserving harsh criticism.

Example Sentences

They loue not porke, nor ſwynes fleſh, but doth vituperate and abhore it, yet for all this, they will eate Adders, which is a kind of Serpentes, as well as any other Chriſtyan man dwelling in Roome, and other highe countreys, for Adders fleſhe there, is called fyſhe of the mountayne, this notwithſtanding Phiſicke doeth approbate adders fleſh good to be eaten, […]

[M]y beſt Lady, you knovv, and many better men then he have told you, that I am ſo far from vvronging you vvith a falſhood, that I have maintained your honor vvith the hazzard of my life againſt any that ever durſt vituperate you; […]

[T]he Rites of conſecrating, or crovvning Kings, and taking Oath of them to perform the Lavvs of their Government, and to maintain the Rites of Holy Church, […] is no lame and lazy Ceremony, made up onely of extern pomp, but of neceſſary and renovvned conſequence; vvhich thoſe that vituperate are Children, and thoſe that vvould overthrovv are Devils; becauſe therein accuſers of antient Piety and Prudence, and enemies to Mankind, vvho generally have the Prieſthood in higheſt honour.

We are not ignorant that it has long obtained as a principle amongst writers and declaimers of a certain class, to poison as much as they can the public mind, not only by representing royalty in this nation as superfluous and ridiculous, but by vituperating, and vilifying, by every false, ridiculous, and scandalous aspersion within the compass of their gross and sterile imaginations, the person, conduct, public and domestic pursuits of our most gracious monarch.

['T]is false as hell, and thou vituperatest thine own sex in saying so, lady. Wert thou the daughter of a king, instead of a proud Popish Knight, I would say so to thy face.

Bear witness all ye, that Nicolas Salomen vituperateth our goodly fellowship; for this must he needs swallow another goblet.

[Giacomo] Leopardi was not mistaken as to the profound defects and disorders of nature. He vituperates nature in many a bitter satirical passage.

Thy evil-speaking tongue shall yet cry aloud for pity from the royal lady whom thou now vituperatest. Go to; thou art an unworthy traitor, and shouldst be hanged.

Synonyms for vituperate

Antonyms for vituperate

Related Words

Word Forms

• vituperates
• vituperating
• vituperated
• more vituperate
• most vituperate

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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