vituperative

adjective

vī-ˈtü-p(ə-)rə-tiv How to pronounce vituperative (audio)
Definition of vituperativenext
as in abusive
marked by harsh insulting language the type of provocative magazine article that is guaranteed to engender vituperative threats of subscription cancellations

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vituperative Bal and Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, while almost certainly proceeding without Israeli institutional support, given the vituperative reactions his recent films have provoked — and, by his own admission, have been designed to provoke. — Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026 The initiative text is replete with vituperative language attacking personal injury lawyers as a class. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026 Juxtaposed with these vituperative remarks are, naturally, shots of Trump seemingly falling asleep while on camera. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025 In the years intervening, the poem has remained a lodestar, a contravening presence when, in present day America’s vituperative political landscape, the humanities disciplines and higher education itself has been forced to invoke and defend its own authority. — Elaine L. Wang september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vituperative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vituperative
  1. abusive
  2. outrageous
  3. insulting
  4. vitriolic
  5. obscene
Adjective
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Born into a dysfunctional and abusive household in 1929, Kusama spent much of her childhood in a military factory sewing parachutes for Japan’s imperial army during World War II.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The outfits are increasingly outrageous, including a number featuring knee-high pink leather boots paired with same colored short shorts and a leather bra and long lime green hair.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • The comments under Miller’s social media posts grew startlingly vitriolic.
    — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Steve, some of the most vitriolic and toxic letters have come from you.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Definition of vitriolic
Adjective
  • More than 3,000 shows and a sizable cult following later, The Dark Room has evolved into a choose-your-own-adventure live action video game, presided over by Robertson as its obscene, merciless and incredibly quick-witted host.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The law is aimed at prohibiting children from obtaining books and movies with obscene content.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscene

Browse Nearby Words

vituperations
vituperative
vituperatively
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Cite this Entry

“Vituperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vituperative. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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