Skip to content
GREMockTests
GRE vocabulary

invective

nounHigh-frequency wordMore I words

harsh, abusive language or criticism

Word origin: From Latin invehere, to attack with words, literally to carry against.

In a sentence

Invective in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing invective in a sentence.

The debate degenerated into a torrent of invective from both candidates.

The pamphlet abandoned argument for invective, heaping abuse on its targets rather than refuting them.

Synonyms
abusevituperationdiatribedenunciation
Antonyms
praisecompliment
Usage & nuance

Using “invective” well

Invective denotes harsh, abusive language directed at someone, and it contrasts with praise and compliment.

Common questions

Questions about “invective

Invective (noun) means harsh, abusive language or criticism
Here is invective used in an example sentence: "The debate degenerated into a torrent of invective from both candidates." Another example: "The pamphlet abandoned argument for invective, heaping abuse on its targets rather than refuting them."
Common synonyms for invective include abuse, vituperation, diatribe, denunciation.
Antonyms of invective include praise, compliment.
Invective clusters with abuse, vituperation, diatribe, and denunciation. Its antonyms praise and compliment mark the contrast.
Yes. Invective is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.