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plural obloquies

Definition of obloquy 1 : a strongly condemnatory utterance : abusive language held to their convictions in the face of obloquy 2 : the condition of one that is discredited : bad repute living out his days in the obloquy of one who had betrayed a solemn trust

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Choose the Right Synonym for obloquy abuse, vituperation, invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval. abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. scathing verbal abuse vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. a torrent of vituperation invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. blistering political invective obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. subjected to obloquy and derision billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Did You Know? English speakers can choose from several synonyms to name a tongue-lashing. Abuse is a good general term that usually stresses the anger of the speaker and the harshness of the language, as in "scathing verbal abuse." Vituperation often specifies fluent, sustained abuse; "a torrent of vituperation" is a typical use of this term. Invective implies vehemence comparable to vituperation, but may suggest greater verbal and rhetorical skill; it may also apply especially to a public denunciation, as in "blistering political invective." Obloquy, which comes from the Late Latin ob- (meaning "against") plus loqui (meaning "to speak"), suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace; a typical example of its use would be "subjected to obloquy and derision."

First Known Use of obloquy 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for obloquy Middle English obloquie, obloqui, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French obloquie, borrowed from Late Latin obloquium, from obloquī "to speak against, blame" (going back to Latin, "to break in on, interrupt," from ob- "against" + loquī "to speak") + Latin -ium, deverbal suffix of function or state — more at eloquent

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More Definitions for obloquy obloquy noun English Language Learners Definition of obloquy formal : harsh or critical statements about someone : the condition of someone who lost the respect of other people See the full definition for obloquy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on obloquy Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obloquy