adj · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ɪnˈvɛktɪv/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɪv
rhymes with -ɛktɪv
CMU ARPABET:IH2 N V EH1 K T IH0 V
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Characterized by invection or railing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Tom's speeches became diatribes — each more invective than the last.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An expression which inveighs or rails against a person.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A severe or violent censure or reproach.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A harsh or reproachful accusation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Politics can raise invective to a low art.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
From Middle French invective, from Medieval Latin invectiva (“abusive speech”), from Latin invectīvus, from invectus, perfect passive participle of invehō (“bring in”), from in- + vehō (“carry”). See vehicle, and compare with inveigh.
Across languages
Translations
31 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
обиден
(obiden)
— characterized by invection or railing
Bulgarian:
ругателен
(rugatelen)
— characterized by invection or railing
Italian:
invettivo
— characterized by invection or railing
Bulgarian:
хули
(huli)
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Bulgarian:
ругатни
(rugatni)
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Catalan:
invectiva
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Dutch:
scheldwoord
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
French:
invective
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
German:
Invektive
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hebrew:
נְאָצָה
(neatzá)
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
szitkozódás
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
szitok
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
szidalom
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
szidalmazás
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
kirohanás
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
gorombaság
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Hungarian:
gyalázkodás
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Italian:
invettiva
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Latin:
convīcium
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Latin:
maledictum
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Latin:
contumēlia
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Māori:
kaioraora
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Plautdietsch:
Schempwuat
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Portuguese:
invectiva
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Serbo-Croatian:
invektiva
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Spanish:
invectiva
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Spanish:
improperio
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Spanish:
oprobio
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Spanish:
denuesto
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Spanish:
denostación
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
Swedish:
invektiv
— something spoken or written, intended to cast shame, disgrace, censure, or reproach on another
