harangue

[ huh-rang ]
See synonyms for harangue on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe.

  2. a long, passionate, and vehement speech, especially one delivered before a public gathering.

  1. any long, pompous speech or writing of a tediously hortatory or didactic nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse.

verb (used with object),ha·rangued, ha·rangu·ing.
  1. to address in a harangue.

verb (used without object),ha·rangued, ha·rangu·ing.
  1. to deliver a harangue.

Origin of harangue

1
First recorded in 1530–40; (noun) from Middle French harangue. from Italian ar(r)inga “speech, oration,” noun derivative of ar(r)ingare “to speak in public,” verbal derivative of aringo “public square,” from unattested Gothic hriggs “ring” (verb) from Middle French haranguer, from Italian ar(r)ingare;see ring1

synonym study For harangue

2 See speech

Other words from harangue

  • un·ha·rangued, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use harangue in a sentence

  • After haranguing the troops and prisoners, Napoleon was informed, about noon, that Wellington was still in position.

    The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte | William Milligan Sloane
  • And the candles being lighted, he examined my neck, haranguing the while in his vile English against the practice of duelling.

    Richard Carvel, Complete | Winston Churchill
  • They were listening to a speaker who, standing upright in the wagon-body, was haranguing them earnestly.

    The Doomsman | Van Tassel Sutphen
  • Oi found Nakier haranguing some of the men as was in the fok'sle; but he broke off when he see me.

    My Danish Sweetheart, Volume 3 of 3 | William Clark Russell
  • The minister mentioned by name leading instigators of attacks in the Austrian and German press on Serbia as haranguing the crowd.

British Dictionary definitions for harangue

harangue

/ (həˈræŋ) /


verb
  1. to address (a person or crowd) in an angry, vehement, or forcefully persuasive way

noun
  1. a loud, forceful, or angry speech

Origin of harangue

1
C15: from Old French, from Old Italian aringa public speech, probably of Germanic origin; related to Medieval Latin harenga; see harry, ring 1

Derived forms of harangue

  • haranguer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012