1
as in abuse
harsh insulting language
unable to mount a rational defense of her position, she unleashed a torrent of obloquy on her opponent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shame
the state of having lost the esteem of others
although he had beaten the murder rap, the accused murderer was condemned to live out his days in perpetual obloquy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obloquy
Future problems Paxton’s ability to brush aside opprobrium and obloquy in Texas politics is nearly unrivaled.
—
Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2023
That’s a shame, because the airline’s 11 outside directors are arguably the guiltiest of the guilty parties in the company’s recent fiasco, the most deserving of obloquy.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2023
It’s the guy in front of the bench, though, who’s taking the brunt of the obloquy for the way that whole mess ended.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 July 2021
This kind of bitter obloquy can be found in the editorial pages of many global publications.
—Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 29 Apr. 2021
The only freedom and independence are in learning to be equally indifferent to both praise and obloquy.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 27 Aug. 2019
Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy ….
—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018
Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy ….
—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018
The cross-dressing women were not often the target of obloquy or mockery.
—Longreads, 8 May 2018
Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2023
That’s a shame, because the airline’s 11 outside directors are arguably the guiltiest of the guilty parties in the company’s recent fiasco, the most deserving of obloquy.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2023
It’s the guy in front of the bench, though, who’s taking the brunt of the obloquy for the way that whole mess ended.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 July 2021
This kind of bitter obloquy can be found in the editorial pages of many global publications.
—Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, 29 Apr. 2021
The only freedom and independence are in learning to be equally indifferent to both praise and obloquy.
—Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, 27 Aug. 2019
Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy ….
—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018
Years later, Adams wrote that his decision ‘procured me anxiety, and obloquy ….
—James Hohmann, Washington Post, 8 June 2018
The cross-dressing women were not often the target of obloquy or mockery.
—Longreads, 8 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obloquy
Noun
-
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.—
Cassandra Jaramillo,
ProPublica,
12 July 2025
-
Many of these complications are meant to either limit the cost of tax breaks or to prevent anticipated abuses.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Many people with hypersexual behaviors feel intense feelings of guilt and shame, which can affect their mental health.2 Experts aren’t sure what causes hypersexuality.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
9 July 2025
-
Here’s an alphabetical list: Demons at Dawn is Julián Hernández’s morning-after romance, a rebuke of the walk of shame that embraces a careerist couple’s need for love.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
-
Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The Australian media called them a disgrace and embarrassment.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Deemed dangerous to national security by MI5, Mosley and his wife spent three years interned in prison before moving abroad in disgrace.—
Rosemary Counter,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Oct. 2024
-
The politicization of the COVID response has only worsened this trend, likely resulting in part from Trump’s vituperation.—
Matt Motta,
Scientific American,
29 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Pashinyan had led the movement to oust Moscow’s influence in Armenia; he was now saddled with the odium of losing Karabakh on his watch.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes,
9 Oct. 2024
-
Pashinyan had led the movement to oust Moscow’s influence in Armenia; he was now saddled with the odium of losing Karabakh on his watch.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes,
9 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Nearly a dozen law enforcement agencies statewide have signed partnership agreements with ICE, drawing criticisms from some residents.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
8 July 2025
-
The unusually blunt and sobering assessment drew sharp criticism, including from her colleagues.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
This containment allows partners to express anger, frustration or hurt without slipping into destructive patterns like contempt, stonewalling or emotional withdrawal.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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Rather, state law says they can be held in contempt of court or sued by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obloquy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obloquy. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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