Words / C2

vi-TYOOP-uh-rayt/vɪˈtjuːpəreɪt/

To vituperate is to blame or insult someone in strong or violent language (formal): vituperate a colleague, vituperated in print. To blame (already in the dictionary) is everyday saying it is their fault; to criticise and to complain (already in the dictionary) are pointing out faults, and saying you are unhappy. To fulminate and to inveigh (already in the dictionary) are to rage verbally, and to rail bitterly — the close twins of hostility. Invective (already in the dictionary) is the abusive language. This batch: an imprecation is a spoken curse; emollient is soothing — the opposite flavour. A landing roar is theatre.

Meaning

To blame or insult someone in strong or violent language (formal).

Examples

• “Vituperate the empty ethics date in writing; a landing roar is theatre.”
• “To blame is to say it is their fault (already in B1). To criticise is to point out faults (already in B2). To complain is to say you are unhappy (already in B1). To fulminate is to rage verbally (already in C2). To inveigh is to rail bitterly (already in C2). Invective is abusive attack (already in C2). An imprecation is a spoken curse (this batch). Emollient is soothing (this batch) — the contrast. A dated objection can still be sharp. Heat on the landing is not a record. Put the empty date in the minutes; then the thunder.”

Good to know

Abuse with violent language (formal). Everyday: blame / criticise / complain (already in this dictionary). Close: fulminate / inveigh / invective (already in C2). This batch: imprecation; emollient (the contrast). A roar ≠ a minute.

Near in meaning

revile, berate, fulminate, abuse

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