thersites: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowLiterary, historical, scholarly
Quick answer
What does “thersites” mean?
A person who is a habitual, bitter, and foul-mouthed complainer or critic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is a habitual, bitter, and foul-mouthed complainer or critic; a mean-spirited railer.
Derives from a specific character in Homer's Iliad, Thersites, a common soldier known for his ugliness and for verbally attacking his superiors, especially Agamemnon and Achilles. The term now denotes any spiteful, vulgar critic who voices unpopular or abusive opinions, often from a position of perceived inferiority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. It is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical: a low-born, impudent, and scurrilous detractor.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech. Almost exclusively found in literary criticism, classical studies, or highly erudite commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “thersites” in a Sentence
[Subject] played the thersites, criticising [Object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thersites” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He was given to thersitic ranting during meetings.
American English
- His thersitic commentary added nothing of value to the debate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. A modern equivalent might be 'toxic employee' or 'constant malcontent'.
Academic
Used in classics, literature, and history departments to describe the archetype of the vulgar critic or a specific historical figure emulating him.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely. Would be misunderstood by most listeners.
Technical
Not used in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thersites”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thersites”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thersites”
- Using it as a synonym for any critic. Misspelling (e.g., 'Thersitus', 'Thersites'). Incorrect pluralization (it is typically treated as singular; 'thersiteses' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is a very rare, literary word derived from a proper name. It is not used in everyday conversation.
Almost never. It is a term of contempt, describing a critic whose manner is as objectionable as their views. It criticizes the style and character of the criticism, not necessarily its validity.
The adjective is 'thersitic' (e.g., 'thersitic abuse').
In Homer's Iliad, Thersites was a common, physically ugly Greek soldier who publicly challenged King Agamemnon's leadership. He was beaten into silence by Odysseus for his insubordination and foul speech.
A person who is a habitual, bitter, and foul-mouthed complainer or critic.
Thersites is usually literary, historical, scholarly in register.
Thersites: in British English it is pronounced /θəːˈsʌɪtiːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /θɜːrˈsaɪtiːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To play Thersites”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'He SITES (cites) every fault with a THERible (terrible) attitude' -> Thersites.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS VULGAR NOISE / DISSENT IS UGLINESS
Practice
Quiz
In which epic poem does the character Thersites originally appear?