revile

verb

re·​vile ri-ˈvī(-ə)l 

reviled; reviling

transitive verb

: to subject to verbal abuse : vituperate

intransitive verb

: to use abusive language : rail

revilement

ri-ˈvī(-ə)l-mənt 

noun

reviler noun

Choose the Right Synonym for revile

scold, upbraid, berate, rail, revile, vituperate mean to reproach angrily and abusively.

scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

Examples of revile in a Sentence

Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

What to know Yanukovich is reviled by many in Ukraine not just for his graft but his rejection of closer ties with the EU in favor of Kyiv's relationship with Moscow which sparked Euromaidan protests in 2014. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

The result, in the hostage case, is an underappreciated diplomatic paradox: Thanks largely to Trump, a deal demanded by the Israeli left and reviled by the right is about to come into effect. —Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025

While Winker might have been reviled by other fans around the league, the 31-year-old was embraced by Mets fans for his style of play and his personality on and off the field. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025

Many in the region are asking: could the Islamic theocracy in Iran, reviled by its people and a cancer upon the world, be next? —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French reviler to despise, from re- + vil vile

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing revile

• revile as

Kids Definition

revile

verb

re·​vile ri-ˈvī(ə)l 

reviled; reviling

: to speak to or about in an insulting way

revilement

-mənt 

noun

reviler noun