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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • About time people from the US come to understand how insulting this has been.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Both fighters had been insulting each other throughout a heated press conference before things boiled over on stage.
    Ben Church, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Pino slammed the horn and floored the gas pedal, roaring into her backyard.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
  • The move has sparked trade wars that could slam economic growth and lift prices for Americans still smarting from years of high inflation.
    Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The show opened on Jan. 18 in Arkansas and this week played two shows at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre, where it was savaged by ostensible fans of the series, according to WXYZ Detroit, an ABC affiliate.
    John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2025
  • 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
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
  • Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 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 12 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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