obloquy
C2formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
Strong public criticism or verbal abuse; disgrace from such criticism.
A state of being widely spoken ill of; the experience of facing harsh and prolonged public censure or condemnation, often leading to social or professional disgrace.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often implies not just criticism itself, but the resulting state of shame or loss of reputation. It combines the concept of verbal abuse with the outcome of disgrace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; equally rare and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative; suggests severe, sustained public condemnation that damages a person's standing.
Frequency
Very low-frequency word in both regions, primarily found in formal writing, journalism, and historical/literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] + endure/face/incur + obloquyobloquy + fall on/be heaped upon + [person/institution][verb: heap/bring] + obloquy + on/upon + [object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “heap obloquy upon someone”
- “be a target for obloquy”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in formal reports about corporate scandals: 'The CEO resigned amid public obloquy.'
Academic
Used in history, political science, and literary criticism to describe public disgrace: 'The regime collapsed under the weight of international obloquy.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation; would be considered highly formal or archaic.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too complex for A2 level)
- (Too complex for B1 level)
- The minister faced a lot of obloquy for his decision.
- Their actions brought obloquy on the entire company.
- After the scandal was exposed, the politician lived for years under a cloud of obloquy.
- The memoir recounts the public obloquy she endured after the controversial verdict.
- He heaped obloquy upon his rivals, accusing them of the basest motives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'OBLOQUY' as 'Obliterate your Reputation QUicklY' – it's the harsh criticism that wipes out your good name.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBLOQUY IS A BURDEN/WEIGHT (to bear, to heap upon someone), OBLOQUY IS A STAIN (on one's character).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'облик' (appearance).
- Более близкие по смыслу: 'злословие', 'поношение', 'позор', 'громкая хула', а не просто критика.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /əʊˈblɒk.wi/ or /ˈɒb.lɒk.wi/.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They obloquied him'). It is only a noun.
- Using it to mean mild or constructive criticism.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best captures the meaning of 'obloquy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Obloquy' is only a noun. The related verbal concept is 'vilify', 'denounce', or 'revile'.
No. It is a very low-frequency, formal word primarily encountered in academic, historical, or high-register journalistic writing.
'Criticism' is broad and can be constructive. 'Obloquy' specifically means harsh, abusive public criticism intended to disgrace or shame.
In British English: /ˈɒb.lə.kwi/ (OB-luh-kwee). In American English: /ˈɑːb.lə.kwi/ (AHB-luh-kwee). The stress is on the first syllable.