Word: harangue (noun, verb)

Associations

The word "harangue" means a long, serious, and often loud speech, usually meant to persuade or criticize. It can be a noun (the speech itself) or a verb (to give such a speech).

• As a noun: "The teacher’s harangue about homework made the students feel nervous." Here, it means a long and serious speech.
• As a verb: "He harangued the crowd about the dangers of pollution." This means he gave a long, forceful speech to the crowd.
• It is often used when someone is speaking strongly or angrily about a topic.

Synonym: "lecture" is similar but usually less intense and less emotional than "harangue." A lecture is often educational, while a harangue can feel like a strong criticism or angry speech.

Substitution

Instead of "harangue," you could say:

• "lecture" (less angry, more educational)
• "rant" (more emotional and unorganized)
• "speech" (neutral, general) Changing the word changes the tone: "harangue" feels stronger and more forceful.

Deconstruction

"Harangue" comes from French "harangue," which comes from Italian "aringa," meaning a public speech. It has no prefix or suffix here. The word originally referred to formal speeches but now often means a loud or angry one.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when someone gave a long speech that felt like a "harangue"?
• How does a "harangue" make you feel if you hear one in a conversation?
• When might it be useful to give a "harangue," and when might it be better to avoid it?