Definition

1. Noun:
   • Censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing; strong public criticism or verbal abuse. This refers to harsh, condemnatory speech that damages someone's reputation.
   • The state of being subjected to such abuse or public disgrace. This describes the condition of suffering from widespread censure and ill repute.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun (referring to the abusive language itself):

  • The politician faced relentless obloquy from the press after the scandal.
  • He bore the obloquy of his colleagues for his unpopular decision.

• As a noun (referring to the state of disgrace):

  • The company fell into obloquy following the revelation of its unethical practices.
  • She endured years of obloquy before her name was finally cleared.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To bring obloquy upon": To cause disgrace or public condemnation for someone or something.
  • His actions brought obloquy upon the entire institution.
• "To be heaped with obloquy": To receive a great amount of public blame or scorn.
  • The failed policy was heaped with obloquy by commentators.

Variants and Related Words

• Obloquious (adjective, rare): Characterized by or containing obloquy; abusive.
  • His obloquious remarks were widely condemned.

Synonyms

• Vilification: The act of speaking or writing about someone in an abusively disparaging manner.
• Denigration: The action of unfairly criticizing someone; belittling.
• Calumny: The making of false and defamatory statements to damage someone's reputation.
• Disgrace: Loss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonorable action.

Antonyms

• Praise: The expression of approval or admiration.
• Acclaim: Enthusiastic and public praise.
• Honor: High respect; great esteem.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• "A target of obloquy": Someone or something that is the focus of widespread abuse or censure.
  • The controversial theory made its author a target of obloquy.
• "To suffer obloquy": To endure public disgrace and abusive criticism.
  • He was prepared to suffer obloquy for standing by his principles.

Noun

1. a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
2. state of disgrace resulting from public abuse