Word
diatribe
Phoneticsdi·a·tribe, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdaɪəˌtɹaɪb/
UK/dˈaɪətɹˌaɪb/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a long, angry speech or piece of writing that strongly attacks someone or something. You use it when the criticism feels bitter and keeps going.
n. a prolonged, bitter verbal or written attack directed against a person, institution, or idea. Sustained in tone and polemical in intent, often marked by abusive or denunciatory language.
Examples
“His review turns into a long diatribe against the restaurant.”
“After the meeting, the manager launches into a diatribe about missed deadlines and careless mistakes.”
“The column, intended as balanced analysis, devolves into a diatribe that spares neither the mayor nor the council that appointed him.”
Examples
simple
“His review turns into a long diatribe against the restaurant.”
contextual
“After the meeting, the manager launches into a diatribe about missed deadlines and careless mistakes.”
complex
“The column, intended as balanced analysis, devolves into a diatribe that spares neither the mayor nor the council that appointed him.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “diatribe” in context.
Verb
01. deliver diatribe
“The senator delivered a diatribe condemning corruption in parliament.”
verb + noun
02. diatribe condemns
“Her latest diatribe condemns social media for spreading misinformation.”
noun + verb
03. launch into diatribe
“He suddenly launched into a diatribe about declining standards.”
verb + prep + noun
04. publish diatribe
“The newspaper published his diatribe against university fees.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. angry diatribe
“The meeting ended with an angry diatribe about budget cuts.”
adj + noun
06. bitter diatribe
“His column was a bitter diatribe against the mayor's housing policy.”
adj + noun
07. lengthy diatribe
“She posted a lengthy diatribe criticising the airline's poor service.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. diatribe against government
“The article was a fierce diatribe against government surveillance.”
noun + prep + noun
09. deliver a diatribe against rivals
“The coach delivered a diatribe against rivals ahead of the final.”
10. descend into an angry diatribe
“The debate quickly descended into an angry diatribe.”
11. launch into a bitter diatribe
“The guest suddenly launched into a bitter diatribe about taxes.”
12. publish a scathing diatribe
“The magazine published a scathing diatribe on reality television.”
Usage
Commonly followed by 'against' to specify the target of the attack.
Real-World Examples
“In a fast-paced diatribe, the comedian, dressed in a traditional gown, evoked “swept-back hair” and a “plump figure”, and criticised policies on Hong Kong, Covid and the property market.” “Liam Gallagher’s late-night diatribes on X, the most unhinged of which compares City to “Jesus prepared to die on the cross”.” “It is the latest of the leader's near-daily diatribe against the United States, EU and the United Nations while heaping praise on China and Russia.” “In its latest diatribe against Bill O'Reilly, the Times printed leaked information provided by anonymous sources that is out of context, false, defamatory, and obviously designed to embarrass Bill O'Reilly and to keep him from competing in the marketplace," Fabiani said in a statement emailed to Reuters.” Etymology
First attested 1581, borrowed from French diatribe, from Latin diatriba (“learned discussion or discourse”), from Ancient Greek διατριβή (diatribḗ, “way of spending time, lecture”), from διά (diá, “through”) + τρίβω (tríbō, “I waste, wear out”)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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