Diatribe: meaning, definitions and examples

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diatribe

[ˈdaɪ.əˌtraɪb ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

angry speech

A diatribe is a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something. It is usually characterized by its harsh and critical tone, often filled with anger or contempt.

Synonyms

harangue, invective, rant, tirade.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
diatribe	Used when referring to a forcefully bitter and prolonged verbal attack against someone or something, often filled with anger and criticism. The professor launched into a diatribe against the government's education policy The book is essentially a diatribe against modern consumer culture
rant	Often used to describe speaking or writing in a loud, excited, or angry manner, typically lacking logic or coherence. Can be seen as informal or emotional. After a few drinks, he went on a rant about his ex-boss Her online rant about the service at the restaurant drew a lot of attention
tirade	Usually used for a long, angry speech, marked by criticism or accusation. Generally negative and unprovoked, often implying a sudden outburst. The employee's unexpected tirade shocked everyone in the meeting He launched into a tirade against the company's new policies without any warning
harangue	Typically employed when describing a lengthy and aggressive speech meant to persuade or criticize someone, but can sometimes imply a tedious and exhausting nature. He gave us a harangue on the importance of discipline in the workplace The politician's harangue lasted for almost an hour, exhausting the audience
invective	Used when describing speech or writing that insults, abuses, or denounces someone harshly and vehemently. Often has a strong negative connotation. The journalist's article was filled with invective against the corrupt officials The coach was fired after hurling invective at his players during the game

Examples of usage

She launched into a diatribe against the government's policies.
His diatribe against his ex-boss was full of venom.
The politician's speech turned into a diatribe against his opponents.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Greek 'diatribe,' meaning 'to spend time' or 'to pass time,' which evolved to mean a critical discourse.
Originally, it was used in the context of philosophical discussions, indicating lectures or critiques.
In the 17th century, it started being used more often to describe harsh criticisms in literature and speech.

Literature

In modern literature, a diatribe is often used to convey a character's strong opinions or emotional turmoil.
Successful authors like Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift used diatribes in their work to effectively critique society and politics.
The term is often seen in reviews of literature and film where the critic expresses extreme disapproval.

Political Discourse

Diatribes are common in political debates, where speakers may launch into passionate criticisms of opponents’ ideas or actions.
Politicians often use diatribes to appeal to their base by expressing anger or disappointment with rivals.
Social media amplifies diatribes as individuals express strong opinions about societal issues quickly and loudly.

Media and Journalism

In journalism, diatribes can be found in opinion pieces, where writers passionately argue against certain policies or social issues.
Highly charged editorials may be labeled diatribes when they lack balance or appear overly emotional.
Media commentators frequently use diatribes to engage audiences and provoke emotional responses from viewers.

Psychology

People often use diatribes as a form of venting frustration, allowing them to express negative emotions in a socially acceptable way.
Psychologically, engaging in a diatribe can relieve stress temporarily, though it may not resolve underlying issues.
The cathartic nature of a diatribe can sometimes lead to healing, but can also result in deeper conflicts if not moderated.

Translations

Translations of the word "diatribe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 diatribe

🇮🇳 आक्षेप

🇩🇪 Tirade

🇮🇩 hujatan

🇺🇦 діатриба

🇵🇱 diatryba

🇯🇵 痛烈な批判

🇫🇷 diatribe

🇪🇸 diatriba

🇹🇷 diatrib

🇰🇷 통렬한 비난

🇸🇦 هجوم لاذع

🇨🇿 diatribe

🇸🇰 diatribe

🇨🇳 抨击

🇸🇮 diatribe

🇮🇸 harðorð gagnrýni

🇰🇿 қатты сын

🇬🇪 დიატრიბა

🇦🇿 diatrib

🇲🇽 diatriba

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,890, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27887 vestment
27888 formalist
27889 regularized
27890 diatribe
27891 uninvolved
27892 repossession
27893 unleaded
...