scurrilous
/'skʌriləs/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Expressing offensive reproach; using or containing coarse, vulgar, or abusive language intended to damage someone's reputation. The word describes speech or writing that is insulting, scandalous, and shows a lack of respect.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The journalist was sued for publishing scurrilous allegations about the politician's private life.
- The debate descended into a series of scurrilous personal attacks rather than a discussion of policy.
- He is known for his scurrilous humor, which often offends his audience.
Advanced Usage
- "Scurrilous attack/accusation/rumor": A common collocation emphasizing the defamatory nature of the statement.
- The celebrity's lawyers moved quickly to quash the scurrilous rumor spread by a tabloid.
- Used in formal or legal contexts to describe libelous or slanderous material.
- The court found the pamphlet's content to be scurrilous and ordered its retraction.
Variants and Related Words
- Scurrilously (adverb): In a scurrilous manner.
- The article was scurrilously written to generate controversy.
- Scurrility (noun): The quality of being scurrilous; a scurrilous remark.
- The political discourse was marked by shocking scurrility.
Synonyms
- Defamatory: Damaging to someone's good reputation.
- Slanderous: (Spoken) false and damaging statements.
- Libelous: (Written) false and damaging statements.
- Abusive: Extremely offensive and insulting.
- Vituperative: Bitter and abusive language.
Antonyms
- Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
- Respectful: Showing deference and esteem.
- Flattering: Full of praise, often excessive.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To engage in scurrilous invective: To launch into a stream of abusive criticism.
- The talk show host often engages in scurrilous invective against his guests.
- A scurrilous pen: Referring to a writer known for producing abusive or defamatory work.
- The anonymous blogger, wielding a scurrilous pen, caused significant distress.
Adjective
-
expressing offensive reproach
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