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
  • The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.
    Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.
    David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Both fighters had been insulting each other throughout a heated press conference before things boiled over on stage.
    Ben Church, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
  • About time people from the US come to understand how insulting this has been.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, whose northeast San Fernando Valley district has experienced major hillside fires in recent years, also slammed Bass’ decision.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Though he was limited to just 1:55 of ice time in the Americans’ 2-1 loss to Sweden on Feb. 17 after slamming hard into the goal post during first-period action, Tkachuk was the Americans’ most impactful player in the tournament, from start to finish.
    Carol Schram, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has increasingly involved himself in U.K. politics over the past several weeks, savaging the ruling Labour government and shining a spotlight on the mostly-Pakistani rape gang scandal.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Jan. 2025
  • The three critics who reviewed it, savaged it, the devils.
    James Verniere, Boston Herald, 26 Jan. 2024
Verb
  • Hackman was praised for his acting but the movie was fiercely criticized for appearing to whitewash history and marginalize Black characters.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • New York Mayor Eric Adams was facing a criminal corruption case until it was suspended in February by President Trump's Justice Department, while Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was criticized over her handling of the wildfires which struck the city in January.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 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 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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