invective

noun

in·vec·tive | \ in-ˈvek-tiv

Definition of invective

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : insulting or abusive language : vituperation

2 : an abusive expression or speech

invective

adjective

Definition of invective (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse

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Choose the Right Synonym for invective

Noun

abuse, vituperation, invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval. abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. scathing verbal abuse vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. a torrent of vituperation invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. blistering political invective obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. subjected to obloquy and derision billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Did You Know?

Adjective

Invective originated in the 15th century as an adjective meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse." In the early 16th century, it appeared in print as a noun meaning "an example of abusive speech." Eventually, the noun developed a second sense applying to abusive language as a whole. Invective comes to us from the Middle French word invectif, which in turn derives from Latin invectivus, meaning "reproachful, abusive." (Invectivus comes from Latin invectus, past participle of the verb invehere, one form of which means "to assail with words.") Invective is similar to abuse, but it tends to suggest not only anger and vehemence but verbal and rhetorical skill. It sometimes implies public denunciation, as in "blistering political invective."

Examples of invective in a Sentence

Noun

a barrage of racist invective hurled curses and invective at the driver who heedlessly cut them off in traffic

Adjective

an overbearing, bullying boss who is fond of sending invective e-mails to long-suffering assistants

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Phillips came back to the podium again later with more invectives and had to be admonished by members of council to use his speaking time in a civil manner. — Linda Gandee/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Avon Lake council postpones for one week school-bus-passing vote for stricter penalties," 20 Aug. 2019 Representative Omar is hardly alone in that, nor are anti-Israel invective or outright anti-Semitism ever more than an arm’s length from the Democratic mainstream. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "America’s Other ‘Special Relationship’ Remains Worth Preserving," 18 Aug. 2019 But acting white didn’t stop people from hurling racist invective at her. — Esmeralda Bermudez, Los Angeles Times, "Their U.S. roots date back centuries, but these Latinos still wonder if it’s enough to belong," 16 Aug. 2019 Mr Trump’s invective smacks of bigotry: congressmen from poor white districts do not receive insults in the same vein. — The Economist, "How to fix Baltimore," 1 Aug. 2019 The group of 12 men mocked female politicians, celebrities and journalists with sexist and homophobic invectives. — Washington Post, "Puerto Rico is in chaos, and some worry continued instability is a major threat," 18 July 2019 The invective capped almost a week of the president repeatedly employing attacks on the congresswoman and three of her minority female colleagues that lawmakers have criticized as racist. — Kathleen Hunter, Fortune, "2020 Election Update: Trump ‘Not Happy’ With ‘Send Her Back’ Chants; Warren Targets Wall Street," 18 July 2019 The political rhetoric of today may have moderated slightly, but its essence has changed very little from the old invective. — K. V. Turley, National Review, "Border Posts and Border Ghosts," 1 July 2019 The mayor’s remarks evinced the complex no-wins world in which his administration attempts to control large protests that have at times attracted the world’s attention and its invective. — oregonlive.com, "Mayor Ted Wheeler, without plan in hand, rejects Portland protest violence," 8 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Hytner tends to stay away from the self-revealing (except for his run-in with Harold Pinter, which is so invective-strewn it can’t be reproduced here without making the paragraph look like a night sky of asterisks). — Peter Lewis, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Balancing Acts' author Nicholas Hytner looks back at a successful career at London’s National Theatre," 8 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'invective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for invective

invective

noun

English Language Learners Definition of invective

formal : harsh or insulting words : rude and angry language

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invective

Definition of invective

Other Words from invective

Synonyms for invective

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Examples of invective in a Sentence

First Known Use of invective

History and Etymology for invective

English Language Learners Definition of invective

invective

Definition of invective

Other Words from invective

Synonyms for invective

Choose the Right Synonym for invective

Did You Know?

Examples of invective in a Sentence

First Known Use of invective

History and Etymology for invective

English Language Learners Definition of invective

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