OBLOQUY Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'obloquy' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of obloquy are abuse , billingsgate , invective , and vituperation . While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. // subjected to obloquy and derision

Q: When would 'abuse' be a good substitute for 'obloquy'?

The synonyms abuse and obloquy are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse , the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. // scathing verbal abuse

Q: In what contexts can 'billingsgate' take the place of 'obloquy'?

While the synonyms billingsgate and obloquy are close in meaning, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. // directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Q: Where would 'invective' be a reasonable alternative to 'obloquy'?

The words invective and obloquy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. // blistering political invective

Q: When can 'vituperation' be used instead of 'obloquy'?

Although the words vituperation and obloquy have much in common, vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. // a torrent of vituperation

obloquy

noun

ˈä-blə-kwē

Definition of obloquy

as in abuse

harsh insulting language unable to mount a rational defense of her position, she unleashed a torrent of obloquy on her opponent

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as in shame

the state of having lost the esteem of others although he had beaten the murder rap, the accused murderer was condemned to live out his days in perpetual obloquy

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obloquy distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of obloquy are abuse, billingsgate, invective, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

When would abuse be a good substitute for obloquy?

The synonyms abuse and obloquy are sometimes interchangeable, but abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

In what contexts can billingsgate take the place of obloquy?

While the synonyms billingsgate and obloquy are close in meaning, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Where would invective be a reasonable alternative to obloquy?

The words invective and obloquy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When can vituperation be used instead of obloquy?

Although the words vituperation and obloquy have much in common, vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

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 obloquy Future problems Paxton’s ability to brush aside opprobrium and obloquy in Texas politics is nearly unrivaled. — Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2023 That’s a shame, because the airline’s 11 outside directors are arguably the guiltiest of the guilty parties in the company’s recent fiasco, the most deserving of obloquy. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2023 This kind of bitter obloquy can be found in the editorial pages of many global publications. — Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 29 Apr. 2021 The only freedom and independence are in learning to be equally indifferent to both praise and obloquy. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 27 Aug. 2019 Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy …. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018 The cross-dressing women were not often the target of obloquy or mockery. — Longreads, 8 May 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obloquy

Noun

Another man decided to report to police additional abuse by Moore, who was the man’s babysitter, after speaking with Hamilton in 2010, according to court records and Hamilton’s campaign.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Another 16% experienced discriminatory comments or abuse, while 10% experienced physical aggression.

— Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

She is obsessed with her closet, the organization of which puts even Kim to shame.

— Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

Noun

But the Rodriguez and other members of the Cuban delegation began banging the desks, calling for a point of order and shouting insults at Waltz.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
The examination showed that Parker and Smith had exchanged dozens of texts, which include obscenities and insults, in the days before Parker's disappearance.

— News Editor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Beneath the spy plots, then, is a fond portrait of a group of people held in perpetual disgrace for their shortcomings, and thus forced to find individual paths to redemption.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
But Scott was mercifully lifted for Evan Phillips, who recorded the final out of the game to save the Dodgers from disgrace.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

As these things go, the tweet exposes Hotez to public vituperation on social media and possibly physical harm.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
On March 12, Nickels tweeted a notice of a scientific conference in Washington at which Peter Daszak, the head of a research funding organization who has long been the target of vituperation by lab-leak advocates, would appear on a panel.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Definition of vituperation

Noun

Pashinyan had led the movement to oust Moscow’s influence in Armenia; he was now saddled with the odium of losing Karabakh on his watch.

— Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
By heaping odium on Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, one of several prominent opposition figures, the government gave a divided opposition a leader to unite around.

— Christopher de Bellaigue, The New York Review of Books, 13 Oct. 2022

Definition of odium

Noun

Either way, Steve Sarkisian has noticed something different about his quarterback this week, which also comes at a time of heightened criticism towards the Texas offense.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
The government efforts to make sure that male royals are producing male emperors have triggered criticisms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

The defense attorney who asked a Louisiana judge to ban pink from the courtroom in the Madison Brooks rape case was held in contempt Monday.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The boys’ callousness quickly turned to disgust, their contempt steadily aimed at Neil.

— S. M. Reznik, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of contempt

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obloquy

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“Obloquy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obloquy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obloquy

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