invective (ɪnˈvɛktɪv
)
Definitions
noun
- vehement accusation or denunciation, esp of a bitterly abusive or sarcastic kind
adjective
- characterized by or using abusive language, bitter sarcasm, etc
Alternative Forms
inˈvectively adverb inˈvectiveness nounWord Origin
C15: from Late Latin invectīvus reproachful, scolding, from Latin invectus carried in; see inveighSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
abuse,
censure,
tirade,
reproach,
berating,
denunciation,
diatribe,
vilification,
tongue-lashing,
billingsgate,
vituperation,
castigation,
obloquy,
contumely,
philippic(s)
revilement,
Usage examples
The Senior Planning Officer possessed language of considerable colour and invective.
, A Trout in the Milk (1986)He still fumes at the invective he has had to face: "People have been jealous of me.
India Today (1998)But that was before he filled the Centre Court with a flood of obscene invective and, even more seriously, also lost.
Toronto Sun (2003)In Israel, the same invective was being hurled at Arabs who would target Israeli children.
Times, Sunday Times (2002)Consequently, Fox did not lay into Lord George Germain with that pitilessly caustic invective he had employed on previous occasions.
, Red Coats and Rebels - the war for America 1770-1781 (1990)