invective

(redirected from invectiveness)
Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.

in·vec·tive

 (ĭn-vĕk′tĭv)
n.
1. Denunciatory or abusive language; vituperation: an orator known for his abundant use of invective.
2. A denunciatory or abusive expression or discourse: shouted invectives at the umpire.

[From Middle English invectif, denunciatory, from Old French, from Late Latin invectīvus, reproachful, abusive, from Latin invectus, past participle of invehī, to inveigh against; see inveigh.]

in·vec′tive adj.
in·vec′tive·ly adv.
in·vec′tive·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

invective

(ɪnˈvɛktɪv)
n
vehement accusation or denunciation, esp of a bitterly abusive or sarcastic kind
adj
characterized by or using abusive language, bitter sarcasm, etc
[C15: from Late Latin invectīvus reproachful, scolding, from Latin invectus carried in; see inveigh]
inˈvectively adv
inˈvectiveness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

in•vec•tive

(ɪnˈvɛk tɪv)

n.
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.
syn: See abuse.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.invective - abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill willinvective - abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
contumely, insult, revilement, vilification, abuse - a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

invective

noun abuse, censure, tirade, reproach, berating, denunciation, diatribe, vilification, tongue-lashing, billingsgate, vituperation, castigation, obloquy, contumely, philippic(s), revilement A woman had hurled racist invective at the family.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

invective

nounadjective
Of, relating to, or characterized by verbal abuse:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations

invective

[ɪnˈvektɪv] N (= accusation) → invectiva f; (= abuse) → improperios mpl, palabras fpl fuertes
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

invective

[ɪnˈvɛktɪv] ninvective f
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

invective

nBeschimpfungen pl (→ against +gen), → Schmähungen pl (geh)(against gegen), Invektiven pl (liter)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

invective

[ɪnˈvɛktɪv] ninvettiva
a stream of invective → una sfilza d'ingiurie, una sequela di improperi
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
References in periodicals archive ?
(A far cry from the subsequent illiterate garish invectiveness of Prabhakaran).