Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vituperate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vituperate are berate, rail, revile, scold, and upbraid. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

In what contexts can berate take the place of vituperate?

While the synonyms berate and vituperate are close in meaning, berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

When is it sensible to use rail instead of vituperate?

The meanings of rail and vituperate largely overlap; however, rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When might revile be a better fit than vituperate?

The synonyms revile and vituperate are sometimes interchangeable, but revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

Where would scold be a reasonable alternative to vituperate?

The words scold and vituperate can be used in similar contexts, but scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When can upbraid be used instead of vituperate?

While in some cases nearly identical to vituperate, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vituperate
Verb
  • There are several leaf spotting diseases that can attack hydrangeas.
    Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
  • For example, if China can pin down the United States in the Taiwan Strait, Russia and Iran may seize the moment to attack their neighbors.
    Mark Melton, National Review, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • After Trump initially insulted Springsteen and Swift on May 16, the American Federation of Musicians International stepped up to defend the artists.
    Anna Chan, Billboard, 21 May 2025
  • The young adults had been insulting each other over text messages in an argument over a girl.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The Florida Panthers slammed the door on that, crushing that hope with a three-goal flurry in the second period and a game-winner in the third period.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
  • The 58-year-old man driving the truck reportedly then lost control of his vehicle before slamming into a nearby Honda Odyssey and sending them both into a guard rail, WOFL and CBS affiliate WKMG-TV reported.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • That is important to keep in mind as Trump savages Ukraine for rejecting his proposal.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
  • DeSantis, who has savaged one of the nominees as uniquely terrible, nonetheless acknowledged this was not the right trajectory for the GOP.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The decision also sparked fierce debate from religious conservatives who criticized one board member’s staunch opposition to introducing prayer.
    Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
  • The achievement was especially sweet for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who has been widely criticized for the club’s Premier League performance this season.
    David Close, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Vituperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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