INVECTIVE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of invective are abuse , billingsgate , obloquy , and vituperation . While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. // blistering political invective

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

The synonyms abuse and invective 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: When could 'billingsgate' be used to replace 'invective'?

The meanings of billingsgate and invective largely overlap; however, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. // directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Q: When is it sensible to use 'obloquy' instead of 'invective'?

Although the words obloquy and invective have much in common, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. // subjected to obloquy and derision

Q: When would 'vituperation' be a good substitute for 'invective'?

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

invective 1 of 2

noun

in-ˈvek-tiv

Definition of invective next

as in abuse

harsh insulting language hurled curses and invective at the driver who heedlessly cut them off in traffic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

invective

2 of 2

adjective

as in abusive

marked by harsh insulting language an overbearing, bullying boss who is fond of sending invective e-mails to long-suffering assistants

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word invective distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of invective are abuse, billingsgate, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When is abuse a more appropriate choice than invective?

The synonyms abuse and invective 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

When could billingsgate be used to replace invective?

The meanings of billingsgate and invective largely overlap; however, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When is it sensible to use obloquy instead of invective?

Although the words obloquy and invective have much in common, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

When would vituperation be a good substitute for invective?

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

a torrent of vituperation

Examples 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 invective

Noun

His rolling riffs of invective come across as more errant than energetic, devoid of improvisational zest. —

Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024 Vance immediately placed blame on President Biden for the dastardly attempt on Trump’s life, seeking to promote anger and division, his invective spewed before anything was known about the gunman. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 July 2024

Adjective

His succinct speech patterns were devoid of the usual Biden slurring and invective yelling. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024 But in the age of politics as entertainment, these values continually lose space to their opposites, namely, invective, maximalism, intolerance, fandom, messianism, the demonization of opponents, and, too often, hate and violence. —

Moisés Naím, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022 See all Example Sentences for invective

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invective

Noun

Testimony detail years of heavy drug abuse, and he is found guilty a week later.

Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Critics warn of potential abuse and the possibility of a black market.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024