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tirade

/ˈtaɪreɪd/
/ˈtaɪreɪd/
IPA guide

Other forms: tirades

A tirade is a speech, usually consisting of a long string of violent, emotionally charged words. Borrow and lose your roommate’s clothes one too many times, and you can bet you’ll be treated to a heated tirade.

The noun tirade is related to the Italian word tirata, which means "volley." So imagine a very angry person lobbing harsh words and strings of profanity in your direction when you want to remember what tirade means. Although, tirades don't necessarily have to include bad words — any long, drawn out speech or epic declaration can be called a tirade.

Definitions of tirade
  1. noun
    a speech of violent denunciation
    synonyms: broadside, philippic
    see moresee less
    type of:
    denouncement, denunciation
    a public act of denouncing
    declamation
    vehement oratory
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