scurrilous
adjective
Edwin Benson
Did you know?
Scurrilous (and its much rarer relation scurrile, which has the same meaning) comes from the Middle French word scurrile, which comes ultimately from the Latin noun scurra, meaning “buffoon” or “jester.” Fittingly, 18th-century lexicographer Samuel Johnson defined scurrilous as “using such language as only the licence of a buffoon could warrant.” Qualities traditionally associated with buffoonery—vulgarity, irreverence, and indecorousness—are qualities often invoked by the word scurrilous. Unlike the words of a jester, however, “scurrilous” language of the present day more often intends to seriously harm or slander someone than to produce a few laughs.
Synonyms
Examples of scurrilous in a Sentence
Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2024
And Harriman was certainly subject to gossip, some of it scurrilous and sexist.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
Lee is obsessed with this for a reason that’s scurrilous but also kind of tragic.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2024
David will be considering the position with his legal team and will take such steps as may be appropriate over these false and scurrilous allegations.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for scurrilous 
Dictionary Entries Near scurrilous
Cite this Entry
“Scurrilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scurrilous. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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scurrilous
adjective
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