revile

/ri'vail/

Thân thiện

A politician reviles his opponent during a heated debate.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner: To use harsh, scornful, or contemptuous language against someone or something.
   • To assail with scornful or abusive language: To verbally attack with strong disapproval and insults.

Usage

• The verb "revile" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the person or thing being reviled).
• It is a formal and strong word, often used in literary, journalistic, or formal contexts to describe severe verbal condemnation.
• It describes an action of speaking, not a state of being. The target of the action is the object of the verb.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The political opponents reviled each other during the debate.
  • He was reviled in the press for his controversial decisions.
  • Protesters reviled the corrupt officials.

Advanced Usage

• "to revile against": While less common, this construction can be used, emphasizing the act of directing abusive speech.
  • The preacher reviled against the sins of the community.
• Passive Voice: Frequently used to describe the target of the abuse.
  • The activist was reviled as a traitor by her former allies.

Variants and Related Words

• Reviler (noun): A person who reviles.
  • He was known as a harsh reviler of his critics.
• Reviling (noun/adj): The act of reviling; or using abusive language.
  • His speech was full of reviling. (noun)
  • She gave him a reviling look. (adj)

Synonyms

• Vilify: To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner.
• Berate: To scold or criticize angrily.
• Denounce: To condemn openly as being wrong or evil.
• Execrate: To declare to be evil or detestable.
• Vituperate: To blame or insult someone in strong or violent language.

Antonyms

• Praise: To express warm approval or admiration.
• Commend: To praise formally or officially.
• Acclaim: To praise enthusiastically and publicly.
• Extol: To praise enthusiastically.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "to be reviled as": To be condemned or insulted by being called a particular (negative) thing.
  • The policy was reviled as an act of betrayal.
• "subject to revilement": Exposed to or suffering from abusive criticism.
  • Leaders in times of crisis are often subject to revilement.

Học thuật

Verb

1. spread negative information about
   • The Nazi propaganda vilified the Jews

Từ đồng nghĩa

• vilify
• vituperate
• rail