What does reviler mean?
A reviler is someone who attacks a person, institution, or idea with contemptuous or abusive language. The word is especially associated with fierce public criticism, whether political, literary, or moral. Unlike the more neutral terms critic or detractor, a reviler suggests hostility and denigration rather than a straightforward expression of disagreement. Because reviler is relatively uncommon and somewhat literary, it can sound formal or historical in modern English, though it remains useful when the speaker wants to emphasize the hostile character of an attack. It can be used to describe an individual who habitually speaks against others or to characterize a broad group of hostile critics. In such contexts, the term often conveys the moral judgment that the criticism goes beyond disagreement and amounts to abuse or contempt.
nounA person who reviles someone or something, especially by expressing contemptuous or abusive criticism.
- A person who reviles someone or something through contemptuous, hostile, or abusive speech.
"The politician was dismissed by her revilers as incapable of governing."
"Her article portrayed the minister as a reviler of traditional institutions."
"The revilers were silenced by the moderator, who reminded them that criticism should not become harassment."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The debate was interrupted by revilers from both sides of the audience."
A reviler does more than disagree: the word carries the sense of speaking against something with deliberate contempt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reviler
The word reviler was formed in English by adding the agentive suffix -er to revile. Revile developed from Middle English and was influenced by Anglo-French reviler, which was ultimately connected with Latin revellere, literally “to pull back” or “tear back.” The semantic development from physical undoing to forceful denunciation reflects the idea of assailing something with hostile speech.
Related word forms
How reviler is actually used
Reviler is formal and relatively uncommon; it is more often encountered in literary, political, or legal contexts than in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with reviler
A reviler attacks or criticizes something contemptuously, whereas a reviver restores it to life or renewed activity.