rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryrevileAbusive criticism
verb

revile

rih-VYLE/rɪˈvaɪl/

To attack someone or something with abusive language.

The spectator reviles the young athlete after the missed shot, prompting another spectator to intervene.

A contemptuous spectator verbally berates a young athlete after a visibly missed basketball shot; another spectator intervenes against the abusive outburst.
Etymology
reOld Frenchperhaps adds emphasis
+vileOld Frenchto debase or make cheap

The base means to debase or make cheap, with re- perhaps adding emphasis. The meaning shifted from degrading people to attacking them with language that expresses contempt.

In context

MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)86:17
blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all things against you falsely
Does God Exist?: A Muslim’s Response to Atheism | Ustadh Dr. Ali Ate

More examples

  • She reviles people who disagree with her, calling them idiots.
  • The columnist reviled the proposal as worthless garbage.
  • You can criticize his decisions without reviling him.

Forms

revile · reviles · reviled · reviling

Similar words

vilify
Emphasizes portraying someone as wicked or contemptible, often damaging reputation.
berate
Emphasizes angrily scolding someone, often for a specific fault.
insult
Can describe a single offensive remark rather than sustained abuse.