Synonyms of ‘Reviled’: Comprehensive Guide to Usage, Nuance, and Examples

2. INTRODUCTION

The English language is rich with expressive vocabulary, enabling speakers and writers to convey subtle shades of meaning and tone. One such word is reviled, a powerful term denoting strong, abusive criticism or public hatred. Mastering the synonyms of reviled—and knowing when and how to use them—empowers you to write and speak with greater clarity, impact, and nuance.

Understanding synonyms is an essential aspect of English grammar. Synonyms allow you to avoid repetition, match the appropriate tone, and articulate ideas with precision.

They help in both comprehension and communication, particularly when describing negative public opinion, social exclusion, or harsh criticism.

This comprehensive guide is designed for a wide audience: ESL learners seeking to expand vocabulary, advanced students aiming for sophistication, writers striving for stylistic variety, teachers developing curriculum, and anyone eager to communicate more effectively in English.

In this in-depth article, you’ll find clear definitions, grammatical analysis, structural breakdowns, categories of synonyms, a wealth of examples, usage rules, common mistakes to avoid, practice exercises, advanced topics, an FAQ section, and a concise conclusion. Let’s embark on a journey to master the many ways to express the concept of being reviled in English.

Definition Section
Structural Breakdown
Types or Categories of Synonyms
Examples Section
Usage Rules
Common Mistakes
Practice Exercises
Advanced Topics
FAQ Section
Conclusion

3. DEFINITION SECTION

3.1. The Meaning of ‘Reviled’

The term reviled is defined as being the subject of intense, abusive criticism or hatred, often expressed in a public or collective context. To revile someone means to criticize them in an extremely insulting, contemptuous, or harsh manner. The word often carries a sense of moral outrage or social condemnation.

Reviled is most commonly seen as a past participle or adjective, describing someone or something that has been the target of such abuse.

Table 1: Definition Table
Word	Part of Speech	Definition	Example Sentence
Revile	Verb	To criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner	He was reviled by the press.
Reviled	Adjective/Past Participle	Subjected to abusive criticism or hatred	The reviled politician resigned.

3.2. Grammatical Classification

Reviled functions as the past participle of the verb revile and is commonly used in passive constructions (He was reviled by many). It can also serve as an adjective (a reviled figure).

– Verb (Past Participle): Used in perfect tenses and passive voice.
– Adjective: Describes a noun that has been the target of revilement.

Revile is a transitive verb, typically taking a direct object (They reviled the traitor.). It is rarely used intransitively.

3.3. Usage Contexts

Reviled appears in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in formal, literary, or journalistic language. It conveys a strong negative tone, often denoting collective disapproval or hatred.

Formal/Literary: “He was reviled in the annals of history.”
Journalistic: “The reviled leader faced protests.”
Conversational: Less common; more likely to use synonyms like hated or bashed.

Register: The word is high in intensity and always negative in connotation.

4. STRUCTURAL BREAKDOWN

4.1. Morphology: Roots and Derivatives

Revile originates from the Old French reviler, combining the prefix re- (expressing intensive force) with viler (to vilify). The verb generates several derivatives:

Revilement (noun): The act or process of reviling.
Reviling (present participle): The act of criticizing abusively.
Reviler (noun): One who reviles.

4.2. Synonym Structure

Synonyms can be:

Direct (one-to-one): Words nearly interchangeable with reviled in both meaning and usage.
Near synonyms: Words similar in meaning but differing in intensity, connotation, or register.

Table 2: Synonym Structure Table
Synonym	Part of Speech	Register	Strength of Meaning	Example
Vilified	Verb/Adjective	Formal	Strong	She was vilified by critics.
Denounced	Verb	Formal	Strong	He was denounced as a traitor.
Ostracized	Verb/Adjective	Neutral	Moderate	They were ostracized by the community.
Bashed	Verb	Informal	Moderate	The movie was bashed online.

4.3. Patterns of Usage

Collocations: “Reviled by,” “reviled as,” “reviled for.”
Sentence Position: Usually in passive voice or as a postmodifier: “A reviled leader,” “He was reviled.”

4.4. Synonym Selection Rules

The best synonym depends on:

Context: Is the situation formal, informal, academic, or conversational?
Tone: Do you want strong condemnation or mild criticism?
Intensity: How hostile or negative is the criticism?
Audience: Are you writing for scholars, journalists, or the general public?

5. TYPES OR CATEGORIES OF SYNONYMS

5.1. Synonyms by Intensity

Synonyms range from mild disapproval to intense public hatred. Choose the right word for the level of negativity you wish to convey.

Table 3: Intensity Table
Intensity	Synonyms	Example
Strong	Vilified, Denounced, Condemned	He was vilified in the media.
Moderate	Criticized, Disparaged	She was criticized for her actions.
Mild	Disapproved, Censured	The policy was disapproved by many.

5.2. Synonyms by Formality

Formal: Vilified, denounced, condemned, censured, ostracized
Informal: Bashed, slammed, trashed, roasted
Slang/Idiomatic: Dragged through the mud, thrown under the bus, flamed

5.3. Synonyms by Connotation

Negative: Hated, loathed, despised, scorned
Neutral: Criticized, censured, disapproved
Nuanced: Mocked, lampooned, ridiculed (implies sarcasm or humor)

5.4. Synonyms by Part of Speech

Verbs: vilify, denounce, berate, disparage, malign, lambast
Adjectives: despised, hated, scorned, maligned, ostracized
Nouns: outcast, pariah, scapegoat (used contextually to describe someone who is reviled)

6. EXAMPLES SECTION

6.1. Simple Sentences with Synonyms

The politician was denounced by his opponents.
She was vilified in the tabloids.
The policy was criticized for its shortcomings.
He was scorned by his former friends.
The celebrity was maligned on social media.
The coach was disparaged after the loss.
The scientist was ostracized by her peers.
The actor was bashed for his comments.
The leader was condemned by the international community.
She was censured by the board for her conduct.
The outcast was ignored by society.
He was hated for his dishonesty.
The company was slammed in the press.

6.2. Complex and Compound Sentences

Reviled by the public and denounced by his peers, the leader resigned in disgrace.
Although she was maligned online, she continued her work undeterred.
The director, once praised, was later vilified after the scandal emerged.
He was ostracized from the group, condemned by the media, and criticized by colleagues.
Despite being disparaged by critics, the artist found loyal supporters.
The proposal, censured by experts and bashed by the public, was ultimately withdrawn.
She was lampooned in late-night shows, mocked in cartoons, and scorned in editorials.
Considered an outcast, he was reviled as a traitor by his former allies.
Vilified in the press yet celebrated by fans, the musician was a polarizing figure.
The law, denounced by activists and condemned by international observers, failed to pass.

6.3. Synonyms in Different Contexts

Table 4: Contextual Usage Table
Context	Synonym	Example Sentence
Media	Vilified	The actor was vilified for his remarks.
Literature	Scorned	The character was scorned by society.
Everyday	Bashed	He was bashed for his unpopular opinion.
Academic	Censured	The researcher was censured for misconduct.
History	Ostracized	Dissenters were ostracized by the regime.

6.4. Comparative Examples

He was reviled for his actions. (Very strong criticism)
He was criticized for his actions. (Less intense)
The company was denounced for unethical practices. (Public condemnation)
The company was censured for ethical lapses. (Formal, less emotional)
She was mocked for her mistakes. (Ridicule, may be humorous)
She was scorned for her mistakes. (Deep contempt)

6.5. Tables for Quick Reference

Table 5: Synonyms: Definition and Example Table
Synonym	Definition	Example
Ostracized	Excluded from a group or society	She was ostracized by her peers.
Maligned	Spoken about in a spiteful manner	The new policy was maligned online.
Bashed	Criticized harshly (informal)	The show was bashed by reviewers.
Condemned	Expressed complete disapproval, often publicly	The act was condemned by leaders worldwide.
Censured	Expressed severe disapproval, formally	The senator was censured by the committee.
Mocked	Made fun of in a cruel way	She was mocked for her beliefs.
Lampooned	Publicly criticized using ridicule or satire	The politician was lampooned on TV.
Scorned	Treated with contempt	He was scorned by his classmates.

6.6. Idiomatic and Slang Usage

He was dragged through the mud in the tabloids.
The coach was thrown under the bus after the loss.
She was roasted on social media.
The project was torn to shreds during the review.
The artist was flamed in the forums.

7. USAGE RULES

7.1. Choosing the Right Synonym

Consider the formality of your context, the degree of negativity you intend, and your audience.

Table 6: Synonym Selection Matrix
Situation	Appropriate Synonym(s)	Register	Example
Academic Paper	Denounced, Condemned	Formal	The theory was denounced.
Social Media	Slammed, Bashed	Informal	He was bashed online.
News Report	Vilified, Maligned	Formal/Neutral	The politician was vilified.
Conversation	Criticized, Hated	Neutral	He was hated by many.

7.2. Collocations and Prepositions

By: Reviled by the press, vilified by society
As: Denounced as a traitor, scorned as a liar
For: Criticized for his actions, condemned for her beliefs

Example: “She was reviled by the public for her decisions.”

7.3. Sentence Position and Structure

Verbs: “People reviled him.” (active)
Adjectives: “He was a reviled figure.”
Passive constructions: “He was vilified by the press.”

7.4. Common Exceptions and Special Cases

Some synonyms are nouns, not verbs/adjectives (e.g., outcast, pariah).
Mocked and lampooned often imply ridicule, not hatred.
Ostracized specifically means excluded, not always verbally attacked.

8. COMMON MISTAKES

8.1. Incorrect Synonym Substitution

Intensity and Connotation: Using a milder word when a stronger one is needed, or vice versa.

Incorrect: “She was criticized (when vilified is intended)”
Correct: “She was vilified for her views.”

8.2. Grammatical Errors

Incorrect: “He was a reviled.”
Correct: “He was reviled.” or “He was a reviled man.”
Incorrect: “He was an ostracized.”
Correct: “He was ostracized.”

8.3. Register and Tone Errors

Incorrect: “The policy was bashed by scholars.” (too informal)
Correct: “The policy was denounced by scholars.”

8.4. Overuse and Redundancy

Repeating synonyms can sound awkward or exaggerated.

Avoid: “He was reviled and vilified and condemned.”
Better: “He was vilified and condemned.”

8.5. Table 7: Common Mistakes Table

Table 7: Common Mistakes Table
Error Type	Incorrect Example	Correction
Register	The CEO was slammed by media.	The CEO was condemned by media.
Grammar	He was an ostracized.	He was ostracized.
Redundancy	She was reviled, vilified, and condemned by all.	She was vilified and condemned by all.
Connotation	He was mocked for his crimes.	He was condemned for his crimes.

9. PRACTICE EXERCISES

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank

The artist was ____ for his controversial works. (vilified)
The proposal was ____ by experts for its flaws. (criticized)
He was ____ as a traitor by his former friends. (denounced)
The scientist was ____ from the academic community. (ostracized)
The company was ____ in the media for its actions. (maligned)
Her performance was ____ by online commentators. (bashed)
The senator was ____ by the ethics committee. (censured)
He was ____ by history for his decisions. (reviled or condemned)
The actor was ____ for his rude remarks. (scorned)
The policy was ____ by several organizations. (condemned)

9.2. Error Correction

She was reviled as a outcast.
The project was roasted by the academics.
The leader was an vilified.
He was criticized and denounced and bashed for his views.
The scientist was lampooned by her discoveries.

9.3. Synonym Identification

The coach was maligned by the press. (Which synonym is used? What is its intensity?)
The law was censured by the committee. (Identify synonym and nuance.)
She was ostracized for her beliefs. (Identify synonym and connotation.)
The actor was slammed for his performance. (Identify synonym and register.)
The student was denounced in the assembly. (Identify synonym and intensity.)

9.4. Sentence Construction

Write a sentence using “vilified.”
Write a sentence using “ostracized.”
Write a sentence using “condemned.”
Write a sentence using “scorned.”
Write a sentence using “lampooned.”

9.5. Multiple Choice

Which word best fits: “The company was ____ in the news for its unethical practices.”
- a) praised
- b) maligned
- c) adored
- d) admired
Which synonym is most formal for public criticism?
- a) slammed
- b) vilified
- c) roasted
- d) trashed
“He was ____ by society for his beliefs.”
- a) ostracized
- b) applauded
- c) welcomed
- d) praised
Choose the most accurate synonym: “The leader was ____ for his mistakes.”
- a) censured
- b) celebrated
- c) thanked
- d) cheered
Which word is informal?
- a) censured
- b) denounced
- c) bashed
- d) condemned

9.6. Matching

Synonym	Definition
a) Ostracized	1) Criticized harshly (informal)
b) Bashed	2) Excluded from a group
c) Censured	3) Formally expressed disapproval
d) Lampooned	4) Publicly ridiculed or satirized

9.7. Answer Key

Fill-in-the-Blank:

vilified
criticized
denounced
ostracized
maligned
bashed
censured
reviled/condemned
scorned
condemned

Error Correction:

She was reviled as an outcast.
The project was criticized by the academics. (Or: The project was lampooned by the media.)
The leader was a vilified man. (Or: The leader was vilified.)
He was criticized and denounced for his views. (Remove redundancy: avoid “bashed” in formal writing.)
The scientist was lampooned for her discoveries.

Synonym Identification:

Maligned (intensity: strong, register: formal)
Censured (nuance: formal, official disapproval)
Ostracized (connotation: social exclusion, negative)
Slammed (register: informal, intensity: moderate)
Denounced (intensity: strong, public condemnation)

Sentence Construction (sample answers):

The athlete was vilified after the scandal.
She was ostracized for expressing her beliefs.
The policy was condemned by international observers.
The inventor was scorned by skeptics.
The president was lampooned on late-night television.

Multiple Choice:

b) maligned
b) vilified
a) ostracized
a) censured
c) bashed

Matching:

a)-2 (Ostracized – Excluded from a group)
b)-1 (Bashed – Criticized harshly, informal)
c)-3 (Censured – Formally expressed disapproval)
d)-4 (Lampooned – Publicly ridiculed or satirized)

10. ADVANCED TOPICS

10.1. Semantic Nuance and Register

Not all synonyms are interchangeable. Vilified and denounced both suggest public condemnation, but vilified implies a more personal, malicious attack, while denounced is often formal and public.

Table 8: Nuance Comparison Table
Synonym	Degree of Hostility	Register	Typical Context
Vilified	High	Formal	Media, public opinion
Criticized	Moderate	Neutral	General
Ostracized	Social exclusion	Neutral/Formal	Communities, history
Bashed	Moderate	Informal	Online, conversation

10.2. Synonyms in Literary and Historical Contexts

In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is ostracized and scorned by her community.
Galileo was denounced and later ostracized by the church.
Historical figures may be vilified in revisionist accounts.

Word choice in literature or history can shape a reader’s perception, creating sympathy or emphasizing injustice.

10.3. Cross-Linguistic Comparison

French: vilipendé (vilified), ostracisé (ostracized)
Spanish: vilipendiado, denunciado
German: verleumdet (maligned), ausgegrenzt (ostracized)

Caution: Some apparent cognates may not match exactly in nuance (e.g., Spanish odiar = to hate, not to revile).

10.4. Register Shift and Irony

Irony: “Oh, he was just adored by the critics.” (meaning he was severely criticized)
Strong words like vilified can be used sarcastically to underline unfair treatment.

10.5. Subtle Distinctions: Denounce vs. Condemn vs. Vilify

Denounce: To publicly declare something wrong or evil; often used in official contexts.
Condemn: To express strong disapproval; can be legal, moral, or social.
Vilify: To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner; implies malicious intent.

Examples:

The council denounced the policy as unjust.
The court condemned the defendant for his crimes.
The press vilified the actress after the controversy.

11. FAQ SECTION

What is the exact meaning of ‘reviled’ and how is it used in a sentence?
Reviled means to be the subject of intense, abusive criticism or hatred.
Example: “He was reviled by the public for his actions.”
What are the most common synonyms for ‘reviled’?
Common synonyms include vilified, denounced, condemned, maligned, criticized, scorned, ostracized, bashed, and censured.
How do I choose between ‘vilified’ and ‘criticized’?
Vilified is much stronger and implies malicious, abusive attacks. Criticized is milder and more neutral.
Is ‘reviled’ more formal than ‘bashed’?
Yes. Reviled is formal/literary, while bashed is informal/slang.
Can ‘reviled’ be used to describe objects or only people?
Primarily people, but sometimes objects, policies, or organizations can be “reviled” if they are targets of public hatred.
Are there any positive or neutral synonyms for ‘reviled’?
No direct positives. Neutral synonyms like criticized or censured are less intense but still negative.
What is the difference between ‘denounced’ and ‘condemned’?
Denounced is public and declarative; condemned can be legal/moral and is often more severe.
Can ‘reviled’ be used as an adjective?
Yes. Example: “He was a reviled dictator.”
Are there idiomatic expressions that mean the same as ‘reviled’?
Yes: “dragged through the mud,” “thrown under the bus,” “torn to shreds,” “roasted,” “flamed.”
What are common mistakes when using synonyms of ‘reviled’?
Mixing up intensity, register (formality), or part of speech; using informal words in formal writing; redundancy.
How do I use these synonyms in academic writing?
Choose formal options: denounced, condemned, censured, vilified, maligned.
Is ‘reviled’ used differently in British and American English?
Usage and meaning are essentially the same; frequency may vary slightly.

12. CONCLUSION

The ability to express strong criticism or public hatred with precision is a valuable skill in English. Understanding the full range of synonyms for ‘reviled’—along with their nuances, intensity, and appropriate usage—enables you to communicate with clarity and sophistication.

In this guide, we covered definitions, structural analysis, categories by intensity and formality, extensive examples, usage rules, common pitfalls, practice exercises, and advanced distinctions. Applying these insights will help you avoid redundancy, select the perfect word for any context, and grasp subtle differences in meaning—hallmarks of advanced English proficiency.

Keep expanding your vocabulary and experimenting with synonyms in your writing and speech. Refer back to this article as a resource for learning, teaching, or reference.

With practice, your English will become more expressive and precise, allowing your ideas to shine.

Happy learning!