vituperative

adjective

vi·​tu·​per·​a·​tive vī-ˈtü-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce vituperative (audio)
-pə-ˌrā-
: uttering or given to censure : containing or characterized by verbal abuse
vituperatively adverb

Examples of vituperative in a Sentence

the type of provocative magazine article that is guaranteed to engender vituperative threats of subscription cancellations
Recent Examples on the Web His speech was rambling, unhinged, vituperative, and oh-so-revealing. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2024 What makes Trump different is how many former aides have come out against him, said Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian, and how vituperative their criticisms have been. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023 These more quotable lines may sound kinda vituperative on the page. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023 Many were betrayed by the company, or by Musk personally, who comes across as capricious, vituperative, and vindictive and, as one of richest people in the world, able and very willing to enforce the silencing of dissent with the threat of ruinous burial in legal action. Brett Berk, Car and Driver, 26 July 2023 In recent months, Britney Spears’ vituperative legal battle to end her controversial 13-year conservatorship and wrest control of her life and finances from her father has put conservatorships under the spotlight and prompted calls for legislative reform. Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2021 Seth Freeman, who teaches conflict management at Columbia University, notes that even before engaging in a conversation with a vituperative relative, everyone has to swallow a bitter pill, which is especially difficult for those who think data will save the day: forget facts. Belinda Luscombe, Time, 19 Feb. 2021 His asking price for reimbursement in January went up after a vituperative letter in October to the university. Joe Heim, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2023 Renata’s weakness lies in her inability to square her fear of being disliked with her vituperative personality. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 3 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vituperative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vituperative was in 1727

Dictionary Entries Near vituperative

Cite this Entry

“Vituperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vituperative. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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