Words / C2

in-VAY/ɪnˈveɪ/

To inveigh is to speak or write with bitter hostility against someone or something (formal; inveigh against): inveigh against delay, inveighed in print. To complain (already in the dictionary) is everyday unhappiness; to criticise (already in the dictionary) is to point out faults, and to fulminate (already in the dictionary) is to protest loudly — the close twin of rage. Invective (already in the dictionary) and a diatribe (already in the dictionary) are the abusive language and the bitter attack. This batch: lambaste is to rebuke a person harshly. A corridor rant is not a record.

Meaning

To speak or write with bitter hostility against someone or something (formal; inveigh against).

Examples

• “Inveigh in the minutes; a corridor rant is not a record.”
• “To complain is everyday (already in B1). To criticise is to point out faults (already in B2). To fulminate is to rage verbally (already in C2). Invective is abusive attack (already in C2). A diatribe is a bitter verbal assault (already in C1). Lambaste is to rebuke harshly (this batch). Heat after a sitting can be exact. Heat in the stairwell is theatre. Put the objection on paper; then the thunder.”

Good to know

Rail bitterly against (formal). Everyday: complain / criticise (already in this dictionary). Close: fulminate / invective / diatribe (already in this dictionary). This batch: lambaste. A rant ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

rail, fulminate, denounce, declaim

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