scurrilous

adjective

scur·​ri·​lous ˈskər-ə-ləs 

ˈskə-rə-

1

a

: using or given to coarse language

b

: vulgar and evil

scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor people

—Edwin Benson

2

: containing obscenities, abuse, or slander

scurrilous accusations

scurrilously adverb

scurrilousness noun

Did you know?

Scurrilous (and its much rarer relation scurrile, which has the same meaning) comes from the Middle French word scurrile, which comes ultimately from the Latin noun scurra, meaning “buffoon” or “jester.” Fittingly, 18th-century lexicographer Samuel Johnson defined scurrilous as “using such language as only the licence of a buffoon could warrant.” Qualities traditionally associated with buffoonery—vulgarity, irreverence, and indecorousness—are qualities often invoked by the word scurrilous. Unlike the words of a jester, however, “scurrilous” language of the present day more often intends to seriously harm or slander someone than to produce a few laughs.

Synonyms

• abusive
• contumelious
• invective
• opprobrious
• scurrile
• scurril
• truculent
• vitriolic
• vituperative
• vituperatory

Examples of scurrilous in a Sentence

scurrilous attacks on the senator

a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington

Recent Examples on the Web

Facts won’t deter Republicans on this point, however, for the same reason that Trump and his running mate, J. D. Vance, keep repeating their scurrilous lies about Haitian immigrants eating the pets of Ohio: white anxiety about a diversifying country has become one of the Party’s greatest assets. —Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2024

And Harriman was certainly subject to gossip, some of it scurrilous and sexist. —Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024

Lee is obsessed with this for a reason that’s scurrilous but also kind of tragic. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024

David will be considering the position with his legal team and will take such steps as may be appropriate over these false and scurrilous allegations. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

scurrilous

adjective

scur·​ri·​lous ˈskər-ə-ləs 

ˈskə-rə-

1

: vulgar and evil

scurrilous crooks

2

: containing indecent words or harsh abuse

scurrilous attacks on the senator

scurrilously

ˈskər-ə-ləs-lē

ˈskə-rə-

adverb