Synonym Chooser

How is the word obloquy distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of obloquy are abuse, billingsgate, invective, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

When would abuse be a good substitute for obloquy?

The synonyms abuse and obloquy are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

In what contexts can billingsgate take the place of obloquy?

While the synonyms billingsgate and obloquy are close in meaning, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Where would invective be a reasonable alternative to obloquy?

The words invective and obloquy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When can vituperation be used instead of obloquy?

Although the words vituperation and obloquy have much in common, vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Example 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 obloquy Future problems Paxton’s ability to brush aside opprobrium and obloquy in Texas politics is nearly unrivaled. Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2023 That’s a shame, because the airline’s 11 outside directors are arguably the guiltiest of the guilty parties in the company’s recent fiasco, the most deserving of obloquy. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2023 It’s the guy in front of the bench, though, who’s taking the brunt of the obloquy for the way that whole mess ended. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 July 2021 This kind of bitter obloquy can be found in the editorial pages of many global publications. Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 29 Apr. 2021 The only freedom and independence are in learning to be equally indifferent to both praise and obloquy. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 27 Aug. 2019 Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy …. James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018 Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy …. James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018 The cross-dressing women were not often the target of obloquy or mockery. Longreads, 8 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obloquy
Noun
  • The recent amendments to Maryland’s Child Victims Act, unveiled in a month dedicated to child abuse prevention awareness — April — are deeply troubling.
    Diana Philip, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Harriette Cole: Advice to mother who’s done having babies draws forceful response Elder abuse has many forms.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Adidas Has Double Discounts on Comfy Sneakers and Travel-ready Styles—Deals Start at $27 Vionic Tide Melo Sandals $85 $55 at Amazon These Tide Melo sandals put regular flip-flops to shame.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025
  • After the Halls admitted the charges were true, both resigned in shame — Katie serving probation and Junifer going to federal prison for 16 months.
    Steve Patterson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The order is so blatant in its attempt to rewrite history that to call it Orwellian would be something of an insult to Big Brother.
    Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Years of insults and escalating tension came to a boiling point during the first press conference when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn in the face with an egg—an act that drew outrage and went viral.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There will be no disgrace or dishonor if they get rolled by the defending champs in the second round.
    Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Harvey Weinstein will face his third criminal trial this week, in what we be seen as the latest referendum on the #MeToo movement, which began with his disgrace nearly eight years ago.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
  • The politicization of the COVID response has only worsened this trend, likely resulting in part from Trump’s vituperation.
    Matt Motta, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Pashinyan had led the movement to oust Moscow’s influence in Armenia; he was now saddled with the odium of losing Karabakh on his watch.
    Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
  • Pashinyan had led the movement to oust Moscow’s influence in Armenia; he was now saddled with the odium of losing Karabakh on his watch.
    Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The move came after White House staffers lobbed criticism at comments made by Ruffin that were critical of the Trump administration.
    James Powel, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This comes as the Trump administration has faced growing criticisms for its hurried proceedings to remove as many noncitizens from the country as quickly as possible.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • One judge this week said there was probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for not taking active steps to follow an order to stop the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to the notorious CECOT Prison in El Salvador.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Trump scored one victory on Friday when an appeals court put on hold a threat by District Judge James Boasberg of contempt charges.
    Andrew Chung, Luc Cohen, Kristina Cooke, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obloquy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obloquy. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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