REVILE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

revile

verb

Definition of revile next

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.

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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

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 Though mainstream parties often revile these policies and rhetoric, they have been nudged toward them by the electoral threat looming on their rightward flank. —

Alexander Smith, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for revile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revile

Verb

Louis can hate himself for the rest of his life very easily without the help of anyone else.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Dec. 2024
The history that made us into creatures capable of coöperation also gave us the capacity to hate one another in the aggregate, to draw sharp lines dividing the in-group from the out-group.

Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024