revile

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ɹəˈvaɪl/ See IPA manual

Freq #66952

Meanings

1

verb
To criticize someone harshly using abusive or insulting language.

Critics reviled the politician for breaking his promises.
2

verb
To spread harsh, negative talk about someone or something.

The newspaper reviled the new policy day after day.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to criticize someone... abuse vituperate

2 verb · to spread harsh, negative... rail

Word family

Forms reviledrevilesreviling

Etymology

From Middle English revilen, from re + Old French aviler (“to make vile or cheap, disprize, disesteem”), from a- (“to”) + vil (“vile, cheap”); see vile.

revilen Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# revile

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ɹəˈvaɪl/
**Frequency rank:** 66952

## Meanings
1. To criticize someone harshly using abusive or insulting language.
2. To spread harsh, negative talk about someone or something.

## Examples
- Critics reviled the politician for breaking his promises.
- The newspaper reviled the new policy day after day.

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: revilen

## Etymology
From Middle English revilen, from re + Old French aviler (“to make vile or cheap, disprize, disesteem”), from a- (“to”) + vil (“vile, cheap”); see vile.

## AI Etymology
Revile is from Middle English revilen, from re + Old French aviler (“to make vile or cheap, disprize, disesteem”), from a- (“to”) + vil (“vile, cheap”); see vile. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include revilen (Middle English). Current senses include to criticize someone harshly using abusive or insulting language and to spread harsh, negative talk about someone or something.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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