Vituperatory

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Expressing harsh criticism or verbal abuse in a bitter, scolding manner
2. Characterized by severe condemnation and abusive language directed at someone or something with contempt
3. Involving intense blame and derisive remarks that assail a person or subject with acrimony

Etymology: The Latin verb "vituperare" was built from "vitium," meaning "fault" or "vice," and "parare," meaning "to prepare" or "make ready." Put together, it meant something like "to prepare a fault," which is to say, to find fault with someone and make it public. The sense of blaming and reproaching was there from the start, and the scolding was the point. The same "vitium" stands behind "vice," "vicious," and "vitiate," which all carry the idea of a flaw or defect. The adjective keeps the sense of the Latin verb, so a vituperatory speech is one that finds faults in order to condemn, and the abuse is part of the reproach itself.

Synonyms: abusive, scolding, insulting, denigratory, defamatory

Antonyms: praising, complimentary, laudatory, respectful, honorable