Dictionary

diatribe

noun di·a·tribe \ˈdī-ə-ˌtrīb\

: an angry and usually long speech or piece of writing that strongly criticizes someone or something

Full Definition of DIATRIBE

1
archaic :  a prolonged discourse
2
:  a bitter and abusive speech or piece of writing
3
:  ironic or satirical criticism
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Examples of DIATRIBE

  1. … his apparent inability to keep his pen from drifting from the main objective of his words into diatribe must have taken away from the sound and otherwise convincing arguments that he advanced. —Henry Petroski, Engineers of Dreams, 1995

Origin of DIATRIBE

Latin diatriba, from Greek diatribē pastime, discourse, from diatribein to spend (time), wear away, from dia- + tribein to rub — more at throw
First Known Use: 1581

Rhymes with DIATRIBE

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