philippic

Scathing verbal attack

A philippic is a bitter verbal attack or denunciation, especially a speech condemning someone in harsh terms.

The word comes from the orations Demosthenes delivered against Philip II of Macedon in the fourth century BCE, warning Athens of the king's expansionist threat.

Cicero later used the same name for his speeches against Mark Antony.

Today any fierce denunciation may be called a philippic: She launched into a philippic against corporate greed.

attack

denunciation

Formal public accusation

harangueAggressive lengthy scolding
tiradeExtended angry speech
diatribeBitter, prolonged verbal attack

invective · fulmination · vituperation · excoriation · castigation · lambasting · rant · broadside · onslaught · assault

rhetoric

oratory

Formal eloquent discourse

eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
elocutionFormal speaking skill

speechmaking · oration · discourse · address · demagoguery · exhortation · persuasion · forensics · public speaking · Demosthenes

criticism

reproach

Expression of disappointment

rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
admonishmentExpression of disapproval or warning

chastisement · scolding · berating · reproof · disparagement · opprobrium · indictment · accusation · objection · dissent

philippic

denunciation

oratory

reproach

philippic

Opposites

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