BILLINGSGATE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'billingsgate' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of billingsgate are abuse , invective , obloquy , and vituperation . While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. // directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Q: When is 'abuse' a more appropriate choice than 'billingsgate'?

The synonyms abuse and billingsgate are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse , the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. // scathing verbal abuse

Q: In what contexts can 'invective' take the place of 'billingsgate'?

In some situations, the words invective and billingsgate 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

Q: When could 'obloquy' be used to replace 'billingsgate'?

The words obloquy and billingsgate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. // subjected to obloquy and derision

Q: Where would 'vituperation' be a reasonable alternative to 'billingsgate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to billingsgate , vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. // a torrent of vituperation

billingsgate

noun

ˈbi-liŋz-ˌgāt

Definition of billingsgate next

as in abuse

harsh insulting language the intemperate billingsgate to which the staff in customer service were sometimes subjected

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How is the word billingsgate distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of billingsgate are abuse, invective, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When is abuse a more appropriate choice than billingsgate?

The synonyms abuse and billingsgate are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

In what contexts can invective take the place of billingsgate?

In some situations, the words invective and billingsgate 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 billingsgate?

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

subjected to obloquy and derision

Where would vituperation be a reasonable alternative to billingsgate?

While in some cases nearly identical to billingsgate, vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for billingsgate

Noun

Pete Hegseth's ex-wife 'feared for her personal safety,' his former sister-in-law says in affidavit An attorney for Pete Hegseth denied these allegations, and allegations of abuse were also rejected by his ex-wife.

— Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
And the new administration is seeking ways to root out waste, fraud, abuse and Biden-era policies with a new government efficiency program led by billionaire businessman Elon Musk.

— Kristin Brown, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025

Definition of abuse

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