MEANING
Using vulgar, abusive, or scandalous language, especially in a damaging attack on someone’s reputation.
Use it for
Use for abusive writing or speech that aims to degrade someone.Make a public attack feel vicious, indecent, and reputationally dangerous.
Words that belong together
- scurrilous attack
- scurrilous rumor
- scurrilous allegation
On the page
A scurrilous pamphlet named the judge and invented a second family.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- scurrilous
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Usage notes
A strongly condemnatory word for degrading or defamatory language; it does not simply mean rude or unconventional.
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