All words

diatribe

Meaning

A lengthy and bitter speech or piece of writing that strongly criticizes someone or something.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

During the meeting, Mr. Jensen stood up and shouted a long diatribe at the team. His speech was full of anger and harsh words, blaming everyone for the mistake. People felt hurt and upset by his bitter and abusive comments and the room grew quiet when he finished.

He stood on the soapbox, his face red, letting loose a furious diatribe. Every insult, every accusation poured out, a torrent of raw anger for the crowd to hear. It was a bitter, abusive speech, full of hate.

His face reddened as he launched into a diatribe about his coworkers, spewing angry accusations and personal insults that made everyone in the break room uncomfortable. His rage seemed to fill the small space, driving people away with the force of his bitter words.

During dinner, Uncle Bob launched into a diatribe about how cats are actually spies from outer space. His bitter and abusive speech left everyone staring at their mashed potatoes, afraid to disagree, while the family cat just licked his paw, plotting his obvious alien revenge.

My uncle launched into a long, loud diatribe about the proper way to butter toast, waving a butter knife like a tiny, delicious sword. He declared that anyone who spreads from the middle is a barbarian. We all just nodded, trying not to laugh.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

During the meeting, Jane launched into a lengthy diatribe against her coworker, listing all of his perceived faults and mistakes in a bitter and aggressive manner. Her diatribe left everyone in the room feeling uncomfortable and eager to change the subject.

The old house stood silent, its walls stained with years of neglect. As I stepped inside, a musty smell filled my nostrils, and a sense of unease settled in my chest. Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence, a diatribe of angry whispers echoing through the halls. I followed the sound, my heart pounding in my ears, until I reached a room shrouded in darkness. There, a figure loomed in the shadows, spewing venomous words that chilled me to the bone. I knew then that I had stumbled upon something malevolent, something beyond my comprehension. And I feared what would happen next.

In the bustling market square, the town crier began his diatribe against the new tax imposed by the king. His voice boomed with anger as he denounced the unfairness of the decree. The crowd listened intently, nodding in agreement with his fiery words. As he continued his passionate speech, the onlookers felt a sense of unity in their shared frustration. The diatribe sparked a rebellion in their hearts, igniting a desire for change. And so, they banded together, ready to confront the king and demand justice for all.

The king stood before his court, his face flushed with anger. He let loose a fiery diatribe against his enemies, his voice echoing through the grand hall. His words were like venom, dripping with spite and hatred. The courtiers listened in stunned silence, their faces pale with fear. The king's words cut deep, leaving wounds that would never fully heal.

A diatribe is a type of speech or writing that is characterized by bitterness and abuse towards a person or a group of people. It is often filled with harsh criticism, insults, and hostile language. When someone goes on a diatribe, they are usually expressing their strong negative feelings towards something or someone. Diatribes can be seen in political debates, arguments, and online discussions where emotions run high. It is important to be aware of the impact that diatribes can have on others, as they can be hurtful and damaging. It is always best to communicate respectfully and constructively, rather than resorting to diatribes.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

After the meeting ended, Mark delivered a heated diatribe against the new management, his voice rising as he listed each unfair policy. The bitter and abusive speech left many in the room silent, uncomfortable with the anger and harsh criticism pouring from him.

He stood before the assembly, his voice shaking with fury. His diatribe against the council's decision was a torrent of accusations and insults, leaving everyone in the hall stunned and uncomfortable.

His boss launched into another diatribe about workplace efficiency, his face reddening with each accusation. The team sat frozen, absorbing the harsh criticism and feeling the weight of his anger pressing down on them in the cramped conference room.

When my neighbor’s cat stole yet another sausage from my barbecue, he unleashed a diatribe so loud and furious that even the squirrels paused mid-acorn. This bitter and abusive speech included accusations of feline conspiracy and a detailed rant about “claws of injustice.”

Gerald unleashed a spectacular diatribe about the egregious injustice of lukewarm tea, his face a furious crimson as he gestured wildly with a crumpet. The tirade, a masterpiece of indignant pronouncements and hyperbolic accusations against the local bakery, lasted a full ten minutes.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

When Mark stormed out of the meeting, his diatribe still hung in the air, harsh and accusatory. He unleashed a barrage of reproachful remarks, leaving his colleagues unsettled by the bitterness and personal attacks embedded in his speech. No one dared to rebut his outburst.

His furious diatribe, laced with vitriol and invective, rained down on the unprepared committee. Each word was a barbed dart, his tirade a volcanic eruption of accumulated grievances, leaving the room in stunned silence.

As the meeting dragged on, Mark's supervisor launched into a vitriolic diatribe, castigating the team's recent performance with such caustic language that even the most stoic employees winced, feeling the full weight of his unbridled contempt and professional disappointment.

At the annual neighborhood potluck, Mrs. Jenkins launched into a diatribe about Mr. Cromwell’s "abominable potato salad," peppering her bitter and abusive speech with insults so elaborate that even the parsley wilted in embarrassment, and the Jell-O mold developed an inferiority complex.

Bartholomew, a prodigious connoisseur of artisanal cheeses, launched into a magnificent diatribe concerning the plebeian practice of pairing cheddar with anything other than a meticulously aged Gouda. His oration, punctuated by vigorous gesticulations, bemoaned the gastronomic sacrilege, a veritable clarion call for culinary salvation.

Difficulty

Challenging — Rare, high-register words for serious word lovers.

Appears in

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