Synonyms of revile

revile

verb

as in to hate

formal to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way

Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hate
• criticize
• blame
• attack
• condemn
• denounce
• detest
• loathe
• abhor
• scold
• disparage
• admonish
• decry
• belittle
• abominate
• fault
• deprecate
• diss
• censure
• execrate
• anathematize
• damn
• dispraise
• ostracize
• knock
• pan
• sentence
• slam
• reprehend
• chide
• excommunicate
• convict
• doom
• chastise
• reprobate
• dis
• reprimand
• blast
• berate
• upbraid
• rebuke
• blacklist
• castigate
• reproach
• curse
• lambast
• vituperate
• reprove
• rake
• imprecate
• lambaste

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approve
• endorse
• indorse
• sanction
• exalt
• praise
• glorify
• extol
• commend
• applaud
• laud
• salute
• honor
• hail
• revere
• tout
• sanctify
• consecrate
• eulogize
• acclaim
• extoll
• bless
• venerate
• hallow

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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of revile

The city was also home to Father Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest who reviled Jews and spread antisemitic rhetoric during his radio show – which at its height was heard by perhaps 40 million people. —Robert Gudmestad, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024

To say that Wallis was reviled would be an understatement. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

One more paragraph: The first response of many to the destruction of New Orleans and other areas was to revile George Bush — and conservatism and Republicans and much else. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 10 Oct. 2024

Poetry is the least understood and most reviled of these modes of conveyance because it is easily counterfeited. —Philip Martin, arkansasonline.com, 14 Sep. 2024