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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vituperate
Verb
  • On screen, viewers witness Mormon soldiers disguised as Native Americans attacking a group of pioneers traveling westward.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Another opportunity to attack a black woman in power.
    James Powel, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But after one more chuckle, Julia jumps in and scolds her too.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Copied Share Laughter as Putin appears to scold the moderator Keir Simmons Reporting from Moscow Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov who is moderating the conference scolded people for asking more than one question, only to be mildly mocked by Putin.
    NBC News, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The pair have taken shots at each other over the years, with Shaq being the primary aggressor, sporadically insulting his predecessor with unflattering jokes and blatant slights.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 Jan. 2025
  • To expect bank-enhancing results from this kind of substitution insults reason as much as the conceit about bank capital requirements themselves. Follow me on Twitter.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Cops said Michael Colonna, 35, crossed over the center yellow line and slammed into Dora Salmeron, 53, according to Newsday.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Brainard was additionally charged with intimidation; 18-year-old Kevin Carroll, who allegedly slammed the victim's head into the car door, is accused of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
    Christina Coulter, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Late Night With the Devil (2023) The most recent film on this list flashes back to the same era of media sensationalism savaged by the earliest.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 30 July 2024
  • Kraven the Hunter—a Marvel standalone movie starring Aaron Taylor Johnson and Russell Crowe—is being savaged by critics.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Obama, in turn, has criticized Trump, particularly on issues of democracy and policy.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
  • However, many criticized Jones for fighting the aging Miocic and not pivoting to fight Aspinall, a younger and seemingly more dangerous fighter who holds the interim title.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 10 Jan. 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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Thesaurus Entries Near vituperate

Cite this Entry

“Vituperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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