Objurgations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of reprimanding or scolding someone harshly
2. A strong expression of disapproval or criticism directed at an individual
3. The use of vitriolic language to convey anger or discontent towards someone's actions

Etymology: "Objurgations" is the plural of "objurgation," and the singular was borrowed into English from Latin "obiurgare," meaning to chide or rebuke. That verb is built from "ob-," meaning "against" or "towards," and "urgare," meaning to press, drive or urge on, so the original sense is something like pressing hard against someone. The English noun has kept that sense of forceful, scolding speech, though it has moved from simple rebuke toward the harsher, more heated denunciation the definition describes. Since the plural simply names more than one such outburst, the form adds no new history of its own.

Synonyms: rebukes, scoldings, reprimands, criticism, admonitions

Antonyms: praise, approval, commendation, endorsement, flattery