Invective
/ɪnˈvɛktɪv/
nounadjectiveC1
Definition
Invective means using very strong, angry, and often rude words to criticize or insult someone. It can be spoken or written and usually shows strong dislike or anger. When used as an adjective, it describes language or speech that contains these harsh words.
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See It in Action
Noun: harsh, angry, insulting language
- •The politician's speech was full of invective against his opponents.
- •She answered the rude comments with calmness, ignoring the invective.
- •The article contained invective that offended many readers.
Adjective: describing language that is angry and insulting
- •His invective remarks hurt her feelings deeply.
- •The invective tone of the letter made the situation worse.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'invective' like 'bad words,' but much stronger and often used in serious arguments or attacks.
- ✓Picture someone shouting angry words full of insults during a fight or heated discussion.
- ✓It's the feeling when you hear someone speak very angrily and harshly about someone else.
- ✓Sounds like 'in-VEK-tive' → imagine a strong wind (like a 'vex' wind) blowing harsh words at someone.
- ✓In stories, invective is like the sharp words characters use when they are very upset or want to hurt others with words.
- ✓NOT like 'compliment' (kind, positive words) — invective is negative and attacking.
- ✓NOT like 'criticism' (can be polite or helpful) — invective is angry and rude.
- ✓NOT like 'joke' (funny or light) — invective is serious and harsh.
Try Other Words
- •Abuse: very strong and hurtful language (Use when the language is emotionally harmful and aggressive)
- •Criticism: expressing disapproval (Use when the language is negative but more polite or thoughtful)
- •Offensive language: words that hurt or offend (Use when focusing on words that upset people)
- •Harsh words: strong and unpleasant language (Use in general when describing angry speech)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix 'in-' (in, into) + root 'vect' (from Latin 'vehere,' meaning to carry) + suffix '-ive' (adjective form)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'invectivus,' meaning carrying against or attacking with words
- •Historical development: Originally used in Latin for attacking speech, entered English in the 1500s to describe angry or abusive language
- •Modern usage: Used to describe strong, angry language that attacks or insults, often in politics, arguments, or literature
Reflect & Connect
•How can invective language affect the feelings of the person who hears or reads it?
•When might someone use invective intentionally, and what are the possible consequences?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician's speech was full of invective because he wanted to ___ his opponents strongly.
2.Invective language often shows ___ or strong dislike toward someone or something.
3.Unlike polite criticism, invective is usually ___ and meant to hurt feelings.
4.When the letter contained invective, it made the situation ___ instead of better.
5.People often use invective in arguments when they feel ___ or angry.
6.Invective remarks are different from jokes because they are ___, not funny.
7.She refused to respond to the invective and chose to stay ___.