barrage of abuse

USAGE SUMMARY

'barrage of abuse' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is receiving a lot of verbal criticism or insults. For example, you might say: "I was shocked by the barrage of abuse I received when I expressed my opinion online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Unwavering criticism and a barrage of abuse if you cross him".

The Guardian - Sport

He also criticised the constant barrage of abuse from the government towards public sector workers.

The Guardian

A barrage of abuse which included use of the much-criticised F-word.

The Guardian - Music

They knew they'd get a barrage of abuse (some richly deserved) and got stuck in regardless.

The Guardian - Opinion

The anger led to Schafer's name trending on Twitter and a barrage of abuse on social networks.

Independent

The court heard that Criado-Perez, who spearheaded the campaign, received a barrage of abuse on Twitter.

The Guardian

"May we get past?" He smirked, "You're not going anywhere," and let loose another barrage of abuse and threats.

The Guardian

And because I choose to do that as a career, I'm told, a constant barrage of abuse is just part of my job.

The Guardian

Zayn Malik probably wasn't expecting the barrage of abuse he received from followers after he pledged his support for the #FreePalestine social media campaign.

Independent

Instead, to our incredulity, he unleashed a barrage of abuse against me and the paper that confirmed not just our stories, but the fears about him.

Independent

When Mrs Jagan has held meetings on the PNC's turf, she has risked a barrage of abuse, at times rotten eggs and stones.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about online harassment, "barrage of abuse" effectively conveys the volume and severity of attacks faced by individuals.

Common error

While "barrage of abuse" is acceptable in news and general writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "onslaught of criticism" in academic or business settings to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barrage of abuse" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific instance of intense and overwhelming verbal attacks. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barrage of abuse" is a common noun phrase used to describe a situation where someone faces intense and overwhelming verbal attacks. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While acceptable in general writing, consider more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. Related phrases include "torrent of abuse" and "flood of abuse". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intensity and sustained nature of the negativity being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bombardment of abuse

Replaces 'barrage' with 'bombardment', emphasizing the forceful and overwhelming nature of the abuse.

Torrent of abuse

Substitutes 'barrage' with 'torrent', highlighting the continuous and heavy flow of abusive remarks.

Flood of abuse

Uses 'flood' instead of 'barrage', suggesting an inundation of abusive comments.

Stream of abuse

Replaces 'barrage' with 'stream', indicating a continuous flow of abusive language.

Avalanche of abuse

Uses 'avalanche' to convey the sudden and overwhelming nature of the abusive attacks.

Tide of abuse

Replaces 'barrage' with 'tide', suggesting a rising and overwhelming wave of abusive behavior.

Flurry of abuse

Substitutes 'barrage' with 'flurry', highlighting the rapid and intense nature of the abuse.

Barage of harassment

Changes 'abuse' to 'harassment', focusing on the persistent and unwanted nature of the actions.

Barage of criticism

Changes 'abuse' to 'criticism', softening the intensity of the phrase to focus on negative feedback.

Barage of hostility

Changes 'abuse' to 'hostility', shifting the focus to the antagonistic nature of the actions or words.

FAQs

What does "barrage of abuse" mean?

A "barrage of abuse" refers to a situation where someone is subjected to a large number of verbal attacks, insults, or criticisms in a short period.

What are some synonyms for "barrage of abuse"?

Alternatives to "barrage of abuse" include "torrent of abuse", "flood of abuse", and "onslaught of criticism", depending on the specific context.

Is "barrage of abuse" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely used, "barrage of abuse" can be considered informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "onslaught of criticism" or a more descriptive phrase.

How can I use "barrage of abuse" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The politician faced a "barrage of abuse" after his controversial remarks were made public."