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- DictionaryIn·vec·tive/inˈvektiv/
noun
- 1. insulting, abusive, or highly critical language: "he let out a stream of invective"
noun. vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach. Synonyms: scorn, contumely. a railing accusation; vituperation. an insulting or abusive word or expression. adjective. vituperative; denunciatory; censoriously abusive. Discover More. Other Words From. in·vec tive·ly adverb. in·vec tive·ness noun. un in·vec tive adjective. Discover More.
Invective is harsh, abusive language, like "you dirty rotten scoundrel." I'm sure you can think of harsher and more obscene examples, but we won't get into them here. Invective comes from the Latin for "abusive." It kind of sounds like a harsh word, actually, with those sharp, dagger-like V's.
noun [ U ] formal us / ɪnˈvek.tɪv / uk / ɪnˈvek.tɪv / Add to word list. criticism that is very forceful, unkind, and often rude: A stream of invective from some sectors of the press continues to assail the government. Synonym. vitriol. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Talking angrily. bite someone's head off idiom.
Definition of invective noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
3 days ago · uncountable noun. Invective is rude and unpleasant things that people shout at people they hate or are angry with. [formal] A woman had hurled racist invective at the family. Crowley maintained a stream of invective and abuse against Waite.
1. vehement denunciation, censure, or reproach; vituperation. 2. an insulting or abusive word or expression. adj. 3. vituperative; denunciatory; censoriously abusive. [1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin invectīvus abusive, derivative of Latin invectus, past participle of invehī inveigh] in•vec′tive•ly, adv. in•vec′tive•ness, n.
A denunciatory or abusive expression or discourse. Shouted invectives at the umpire. American Heritage. Similar definitions. Something spoken or written, intended to cast opprobrium, censure, or reproach on another. Wiktionary. A harsh or reproachful accusation. Politics can raise invective to a low art. Wiktionary. Synonyms: vitriol. vituperation.
