as in hated
formal
to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way
Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 reviled
Getty has hundreds of millions of images and videos across its collections and partner platforms, including those of PhotoDisc, a company once reviled for its clip art but which helped create the low-cost, online sales model, and the respected Tony Stone Images collection.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
In the docuseries, Hogan appears at peace with the fact he is beloved by some and reviled by others after his post-career downfall.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Monica was humiliated, reviled, then merely defined by her missteps.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Texas lawmakers have openly reviled the standardized testing regime and voted last year to replace the test with three shorter assessments, starting in the 2027-28 school year.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Apr. 2026
While Senesh was hailed as a hero, Kastner was reviled and assassinated by his own countrymen for negotiating with the Nazis.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Even Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller — reviled by many as the architect of the harshest ICE policies — took advantage of the humanizing aspect of being associated with Elvis.
—John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Mar. 2026
At a time when Black American culture is being reviled and denigrated throughout much of public life, this unapologetic expression of joy in outdoor winter activities is an enduring tribute to the resilience of people whose pursuit of happiness will not be denied.
—James Edward Mills, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026
There is, of course, truth to the statement that billionaires are reviled.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
In the docuseries, Hogan appears at peace with the fact he is beloved by some and reviled by others after his post-career downfall.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Monica was humiliated, reviled, then merely defined by her missteps.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Texas lawmakers have openly reviled the standardized testing regime and voted last year to replace the test with three shorter assessments, starting in the 2027-28 school year.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Apr. 2026
While Senesh was hailed as a hero, Kastner was reviled and assassinated by his own countrymen for negotiating with the Nazis.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Even Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller — reviled by many as the architect of the harshest ICE policies — took advantage of the humanizing aspect of being associated with Elvis.
—John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Mar. 2026
At a time when Black American culture is being reviled and denigrated throughout much of public life, this unapologetic expression of joy in outdoor winter activities is an enduring tribute to the resilience of people whose pursuit of happiness will not be denied.
—James Edward Mills, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026
There is, of course, truth to the statement that billionaires are reviled.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reviled
Verb
-
Republicans, meanwhile, hated everything that Democrats loved about Obama and often tilted into grotesque smears.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Pahlavi is the son of Iran’s former shah, who was so widely hated that millions took to the streets in 1979 to force him from power.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mira cried, when Andy criticized Nate for being unsupportive.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The Florida black bear, one of 16 subspecies of the American black bear, is often lauded as a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission success story, though the agency was sharply criticized for staging a hunt of the state’s largest land mammal last year.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Gatkhor Dual, an opposition official coordinating aid in Jonglei state, blamed county commissioner James Bol Makuei for blocking humanitarian access.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a statement, a spokesperson for Angels In The Asylum blamed the closure on the film being unable to resolve financing issues with John Cairns and his company, Parkland Pictures.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hours earlier, a vessel near the strait reported being attacked by several small boats.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
Iran warned Monday that any vessel attempting to transit the waterway would be attacked.—
May 4,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reviled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reviled. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
