revile

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb revile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revile are berate, rail, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is berate a more appropriate choice than revile?

The synonyms berate and revile are sometimes interchangeable, but berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

In what contexts can rail take the place of revile?

The words rail and revile can be used in similar contexts, but rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When could scold be used to replace revile?

In some situations, the words scold and revile are roughly equivalent. However, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When might upbraid be a better fit than revile?

The words upbraid and revile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When would vituperate be a good substitute for revile?

While the synonyms vituperate and revile are close in meaning, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

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 revile Tolin reveals how collaborating as artists deepens the bond between Ono and her future husband John Lennon, even as he’s embraced by mainstream audiences and she’s reviled by the masses for her failure to create art that resonates with prescribed social and cultural expectations. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 Republicans and industrial lobbies have long reviled and even sought to abolish the CFPB. Douglas Gillison, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025 Progressive Democrats think so, and his Republican critics certainly revile the kind of expansive legislative work Mr. Biden achieved — and are vowing to undo much of it. Ed O'Keefe, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025 The innovation, initially intended to protect advertisers' brands from being associated with controversial content, became widely reviled. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for revile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revile
Verb
  • Alleviating financial anxiety Love or hate what’s happening, there has been financial fallout from all the uncertainty and chaos generated.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Episode One introduces Jamie as a slight kid who hates needles and just wants to go home.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a 1907 essay, the writer Ito Sakon criticized the idea of escaping the hot urban summer, instead presenting the heat as an opportunity for self-improvement.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Many people — including celebrity moms like Allison Kuch and fellow SYTYCD alum Witney Carson — have taken to the brand's Instagram comments section to criticize Happiest Baby.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • President Donald Trump repeatedly tried to blame water issues and the Los Angeles fires on the Newsom administration’s management of Delta water supplies.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Usually that takes the form of falsely blaming Israel for all Palestinian woes instead of recognizing Hamas's strategy of profiting off death, whether Israeli or Palestinian.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Revile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revile. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on revile

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