harangue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harangue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lengthy and aggressive speech or lecture, often criticizing or scolding someone. Example: "The manager's harangue about punctuality left the employees feeling demoralized and defensive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's massive and it's ugly,' he says with a big grin, too smart, too damned relaxed to be drawn into a harangue about the ills of the movie industry.

The Guardian - Film

This was the precisely the megalomaniac, untouchable ethos that appeared to contribute to Clarkson feeling that it was perfectly reasonable to harangue and attack that BBC employee the way he did.

The Guardian - Opinion

His decision caused outrage abroad, and especially in Europe, where leaders queued up to harangue him.

The Economist

The kid gave a harangue in the form of a question: he vehemently opposed Mr Obama's support of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).Mr Obama gave his standard response, that NAFTA needs to be completely revamped to include enforceable labour provisions.

The Economist

He would ring up ministers in the early hours of the morning to harangue them.

The Economist

By Brussels standards, it was a jaw-dropping moment, like hearing a cardinal harangue the king in high mass.By happy accident, the German government recently played host to a gaggle of Brussels-based reporters.

The Economist

The group has posted photos of the protestors, now in police custody after being charged with violating a federal law against making "a harangue or oration...in the Supreme Court Building".

The Economist

But the first person to realise he could use the station as a platform rang in to harangue the authorities about the capital's crippling electricity shortage.

The Economist

He has been using Britain's presidency of the G8 rich nations' club to harangue other global leaders on the need for a successor treaty to Kyoto.

The Economist

Several people harangue me for what they see as The Economist's negative view of India, based on the recent cover picture of a tiger with its tail on fire, headlined "India overheats".I smile with Japanese politeness, and say I will inform my former colleagues.

The Economist

I found Azif waiting for me, as arranged, on the Caspian side of the monument.Most of what followed, on the way to the airport, was the standard post-Soviet harangue, about the corruption of the government and how terribly ordinary people live.All the oil money, said Azif, was going straight into the pockets of bureaucrats, and to bank accounts in Switzerland.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harangue" when you want to convey a sense of forceful, lengthy, and often critical speech. Ensure the context aligns with a public or formal setting, or a situation where someone is being strongly reprimanded.

Common error

Avoid using "harangue" when a milder term like 'criticize' or 'advise' would be more appropriate. Overusing strong words can dilute their impact and make your writing sound overly aggressive or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The word "harangue" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes a lengthy and aggressive speech. As a verb, it signifies the act of delivering such a speech. Ludwig shows examples of both usages in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Harangue" is a versatile term used to describe or enact a forceful and critical speech. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as both a noun and a verb, commonly appearing in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. While "harangue" is grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and that the context warrants such a strong term. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English to describe a lengthy and aggressive speech or lecture, often criticizing or scolding someone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tirade

Similar in meaning, but often implies a more intensely emotional and less structured outpouring of criticism.

diatribe

Suggests a bitter and abusive attack, often lengthy and accusatory.

rant

Implies a more informal and possibly incoherent outburst of anger or strong feeling.

berate

Suggests angrily criticizing or reprimanding someone.

lecture

Suggests a formal and didactic speech, often implying a position of authority.

castigate

Implies severe criticism or punishment.

lambaste

To criticize (someone or something) harshly.

scold

Implies mild criticism or reprimand, usually directed at someone considered subordinate.

denunciation

A public condemnation of someone or something.

admonishment

A firm rebuke.

FAQs

How to use "harangue" in a sentence?

You can use "harangue" as a noun to describe an impassioned speech, or as a verb to describe the act of delivering such a speech. For example: "The politician delivered a lengthy harangue against the new policy." or "The manager began to harangue the team about their poor performance."

What can I say instead of "harangue"?

You can use alternatives like "tirade", "diatribe", or "rant" depending on the context. Each word carries a slightly different connotation regarding the intensity and structure of the speech.

Is "harangue" formal or informal?

"Harangue" is generally considered a neutral to formal term. While it can appear in news articles and serious discussions, it's less common in very casual conversation. Words like "rant" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

What is the difference between "harangue" and "lecture"?

While both "harangue" and "lecture" involve someone speaking at length, a "harangue" is usually more critical, impassioned, and potentially aggressive. A "lecture" is more typically instructional or informative.