REVILE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'revile' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revile are berate , rail , scold , upbraid , and vituperate . While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred. // an alleged killer reviled in the press

Q: When is 'berate' a more appropriate choice than 'revile'?

The synonyms berate and revile are sometimes interchangeable, but berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding. // berated continually by an overbearing boss

Q: In what contexts can 'rail' take the place of 'revile'?

The words rail and revile can be used in similar contexts, but rail ( at or against ) stresses an unrestrained berating. // railed loudly at their insolence

Q: When could 'scold' be used to replace 'revile'?

In some situations, the words scold and revile are roughly equivalent. However, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly. // angrily scolding the children

Q: When might 'upbraid' be a better fit than 'revile'?

The words upbraid and revile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds. // upbraided her assistants for poor research

Q: When would 'vituperate' be a good substitute for 'revile'?

While the synonyms vituperate and revile are close in meaning, vituperate suggests a violent reviling. // was vituperated for betraying his friends

revile

verb

Definition of revile

as in to hate

formal to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way Many people reviled him for his callous behavior.

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How does the verb revile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of revile are berate, rail, scold, upbraid, and vituperate. While all these words mean "to reproach angrily and abusively," revile implies a scurrilous, abusive attack prompted by anger or hatred.

an alleged killer reviled in the press

When is berate a more appropriate choice than revile?

The synonyms berate and revile are sometimes interchangeable, but berate suggests prolonged and often abusive scolding.

berated continually by an overbearing boss

In what contexts can rail take the place of revile?

The words rail and revile can be used in similar contexts, but rail (at or against) stresses an unrestrained berating.

railed loudly at their insolence

When could scold be used to replace revile?

In some situations, the words scold and revile are roughly equivalent. However, scold implies rebuking in irritation or ill temper justly or unjustly.

angrily scolding the children

When might upbraid be a better fit than revile?

The words upbraid and revile are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upbraid implies censuring on definite and usually justifiable grounds.

upbraided her assistants for poor research

When would vituperate be a good substitute for revile?

While the synonyms vituperate and revile are close in meaning, vituperate suggests a violent reviling.

was vituperated for betraying his friends

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 revile Anadol’s work was largely reviled by art critics, less for ethical reasons than aesthetic ones. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The Houthi rebels have long been backed by Iran and reviled by Saudi Arabia. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 For a stock that just debuted a few weeks ago, it's fairly reviled. — Kevin Stankiewicz,alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 16 July 2026 Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reviled by some and revered by others, is set to be laid to rest after a sprawling multiday funeral ceremony planned as both a religious and a political spectacle. — Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for revile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for revile

Verb

Petit laid down the law on immigration, welcoming foreigners who respect France while telling agitators who hate the nation that nobody wants them around.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
So even though Steichen hated to see his friend go, his message to the team remains simple — play to Ballard's standard by staying focused, digging deep and turning things around.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of hate

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

That set off the wave of youth protests that blamed the collapse on high-level corruption and cronyism during renovation work at the station.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Anything this pair does for the next several months that is not together will be scrutinized, dissected, interpreted, and ESPN can only blame itself.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of blame

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“Revile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revile. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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