Scurrilous
adjective /ˈskʌrɪləs/ — Making false, damaging claims in a vulgar or abusive way.
Definition
Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation; grossly abusive and defamatory; humorously insulting.
Beyond the definition
Scurrilous occupies the space between slander and wit — the accusation that is both offensive and entertaining, the pamphlet that destroys reputations with relish. History's best political polemic has a scurrilous quality: it delights in the damage it does.
Origin & history
From Latin scurrilis (buffoon-like), from scurra (buffoon, jester). The low comedian who made insults at others' expense — the scurrilous person has the jester's cruelty without the court's protection.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The pamphlet was scurrilous — full of outrageous allegations delivered with obvious glee.
Scurrilous gossip had damaged his reputation long before the formal accusation arrived.
The press could be scurrilous in a way that was hard to respond to without amplifying it.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Scurrilous” when the meaning fits your context: Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation; grossly abusive and defamatory; humorously insulting.
Synonyms
defamatory, abusive, insulting, scandalous
Antonyms
fair, honourable, respectful
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Pointing and Angry Gestures
Two adults argue heatedly at a table, with one using sharp, pointed gestures that indicate abusive language and intent.
The aggressive, pointed gestures used in this argument capture the scurrilous nature of the dispute. The intention is clearly to damage the other person's reputation through abusive and defamatory behavior, mirroring the act of spreading scandalous claims.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Scurrilous" mean?
Scurrilous is adjective meaning: Making false, damaging claims in a vulgar or abusive way.. Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation; grossly abusive and defamatory; humorously insulting.
Where does the word "Scurrilous" come from?
From Latin scurrilis (buffoon-like), from scurra (buffoon, jester). The low comedian who made insults at others' expense — the scurrilous person has the jester's cruelty without the court's protection.