scurrilous

adjective

scur·ri·lous ˈskər-ə-ləs How to pronounce scurrilous (audio)

ˈskə-rə-

: using or given to coarse language

: vulgar and evil

scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor people

Edwin Benson

: containing obscenities, abuse, or slander

scurrilous accusations

scurrilously adverb

scurrilousness noun

Did you know?

Scurrilous (and its much rarer relation scurrile, which has the same meaning) comes from Middle French scurrile. The Middle French word, in turn, comes from the Latin scurrilis, from scurra, which means "buffoon" or "jester." Fittingly, 18th-century lexicographer Samuel Johnson defined scurrilous as "using such language as only the licence [sic] of a buffoon could warrant." Qualities traditionally associated with buffoonery—vulgarity, irreverence, and indecorousness—are qualities often invoked by the word scurrilous. Unlike the words of a jester, however, "scurrilous" language of the present day more often intends to seriously harm or slander than to produce a few laughs.

Example Sentences

scurrilous attacks on the senator a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington

Recent Examples on the Web This new bourbon comes with intentionally scurrilous details from online whiskey retailer Caskshare, and has its sights set squarely upon our own stable genius ex-President Donald Trump.

Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2022 The entire Trump project was a scurrilous joke, of course.

Joe Klein, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 Will, the noble straight shooter, is our entry point into the film, but for a long time Gyllenhaal, in jabbering-psycho-lite mode, dominates the proceedings, and the character’s scurrilous abrasiveness is more wearying than charismatic.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2022 Their neat, sometimes strict attire, and placid meins were a good foil for their often scurrilous motives.

Vogue, 30 Oct. 2021 Men of good taste and reputation politically sidelined by scurrilous demagogues.

Sam Negus, National Review, 10 Oct. 2021 The correct response to any such scurrilous claim is that the Jan. 6 attack that was peaceful and also never happened was entirely the fault of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2021 Director-star Christoph Waltz boldly satirizes Washington, D.C., politicos, indicting the recent past and the scurrilous present.

Armond White, National Review, 9 July 2021 Touting a scurrilous podcast, Michelle Goldberg in her column in the New York Times last Friday mused whether Mother Teresa of Calcutta was actually more of a cult leader than a saint.

Jim Towey, National Review, 26 May 2021 See More

单词	scurrilousness
释义	scurrilous adjective scur·ri·lous ˈskər-ə-ləs ˈskə-rə- 1 a : using or given to coarse language b : vulgar and evil scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor people Edwin Benson 2 : containing obscenities, abuse, or slander scurrilous accusations scurrilously adverb scurrilousness noun Did you know? Scurrilous (and its much rarer relation scurrile, which has the same meaning) comes from Middle French scurrile. The Middle French word, in turn, comes from the Latin scurrilis, from scurra, which means "buffoon" or "jester." Fittingly, 18th-century lexicographer Samuel Johnson defined scurrilous as "using such language as only the licence [sic] of a buffoon could warrant." Qualities traditionally associated with buffoonery—vulgarity, irreverence, and indecorousness—are qualities often invoked by the word scurrilous. Unlike the words of a jester, however, "scurrilous" language of the present day more often intends to seriously harm or slander than to produce a few laughs. Synonyms abusive contumelious invective opprobrious scurrile scurril truculent vitriolic vituperative vituperatory See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences scurrilous attacks on the senator a scurrilous satire on the scandal that enveloped Washington Recent Examples on the Web This new bourbon comes with intentionally scurrilous details from online whiskey retailer Caskshare, and has its sights set squarely upon our own stable genius ex-President Donald Trump. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2022 The entire Trump project was a scurrilous joke, of course. Joe Klein, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 Will, the noble straight shooter, is our entry point into the film, but for a long time Gyllenhaal, in jabbering-psycho-lite mode, dominates the proceedings, and the character’s scurrilous abrasiveness is more wearying than charismatic. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2022 Their neat, sometimes strict attire, and placid meins were a good foil for their often scurrilous motives. Vogue, 30 Oct. 2021 Men of good taste and reputation politically sidelined by scurrilous demagogues. Sam Negus, National Review, 10 Oct. 2021 The correct response to any such scurrilous claim is that the Jan. 6 attack that was peaceful and also never happened was entirely the fault of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, 28 July 2021 Director-star Christoph Waltz boldly satirizes Washington, D.C., politicos, indicting the recent past and the scurrilous present. Armond White, National Review, 9 July 2021 Touting a scurrilous podcast, Michelle Goldberg in her column in the New York Times last Friday mused whether Mother Teresa of Calcutta was actually more of a cult leader than a saint. Jim Towey, National Review, 26 May 2021 See More Word History First Known Use 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a scurrilousness noun as in pervertedness Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance pervertedness scurrility malefaction corruption degeneracy perversion indecency depravity squalor decay rot canker cancer debauchery balefulness iniquitousness abomination taboo anathema fiendishness depravedness bad evil badness wrong vileness devilishness diabolism devilry heinousness wickedness sinfulness satanism evilness deviltry tabu enormity atrocity darkness villainy atrociousness ill immorality evildoing iniquity sin Antonyms & Near Antonyms right virtue morality good integrity goodness honesty decency righteousness goodness probity rectitude uprightness virtuousness See More
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scurrilous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun