harangue

/həˈræŋ/

/həˈræŋ/

Other forms: harangues; harangued; haranguing

A harangue is more than a speech, louder than a discussion, and nastier than a lecture. It is a verbal attack that doesn't let up, delivered as a verb or received as a noun. Either way, it's pretty unpleasant.

The word harangue developed its modern spelling around 1530, when the word was recorded as harangue in French. The word, meaning a strong, nasty rant, appears to have evolved from the Old Italian word aringa, probably from the word for a public square or place for public speaking. This in turn appears to have evolved from a Germanic word related to ring, as in "circular gathering," which is clearly similar to the Italian meaning.

Definitions of harangue

1. noun

   a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
   synonyms: rant, ranting

   types:

   screed

   a long monotonous harangue

   type of:

   declamation

   vehement oratory
2. verb

   deliver a harangue to; address forcefully
   type of:

   address, speak

   give a speech to