invective
/ɪnˈvɛktɪv
/noun [mass noun]
Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language: he let out a stream of invective...
- Even the thought of it unleashes a stream of invective.
- News reaches me, however, of referees fighting back against what seems to be a tidal wave of invective and abuse hurled in their direction.
- He has blown onto the scene in a torrent of invective, firing broadside after broadside at the crumbling bastions of public morality.
Synonyms
abuse, insults, vituperation, expletives, swear words, swearing, curses, bad language, foul language;
denunciation, censure, revilement, vilification, castigation, recrimination, reproach, reproval, admonition
informal tongue-lashing
archaic contumely, billingsgate, obloquy
Origin
Late Middle English (originally as an adjective meaning 'reviling, abusive'): from Old French invectif, -ive, from late Latin invectivus 'attacking', from invehere (see inveigh). The noun is from late Latin invectiva (oratio) 'abusive or censorious (language)'.
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