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tirade

noun/taɪˈreɪd/

definition

a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

example

After the team's poor performance, the coach launched into a tirade about the players' lack of effort and commitment.

synonyms
diatriberantpolemic
word origin — from French 'tirade', probably from 'tirer' meaning 'to pull or draw out', related to the notion of drawing out a long speech.

SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 8

Set 8 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: tirade, stagnation, oaf, pseudonym, pestilence. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. tirade · noun/taɪˈreɪd/

    a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation

    After the team's poor performance, the coach launched into a tirade about the players' lack of effort and commitment.

    Synonyms: diatribe, rant, polemic

    Origin: from French 'tirade', probably from 'tirer' meaning 'to pull or draw out', related to the notion of drawing out a long speech.

  2. stagnation · noun/stæɡˈneɪʃən/

    a state of inactivity or lack of growth

    The company's stagnation in revenue growth over the past year has raised concerns among investors.

    Synonyms: standstill, stagnancy, inactivity

    Origin: from Latin 'stagnatio', meaning 'a standing still, a standing' derived from 'stagnare', meaning 'to stand or linger'.

  3. oaf · noun/oʊf/

    a clumsy or stupid person

    Despite his size and strength, he acted like an oaf at the party, tripping over his own feet and spilling drinks everywhere.

    Synonyms: lout, dullard, klutz

    Origin: The word 'oaf' originates from the early 16th century, originally likely a dialectal variant of 'elf,' reflecting the notion of an awkward or stupid person as one who was not quite human.

  4. pseudonym · noun/ˈsuːdənɪm/

    a fictitious name used by an author instead of their real name

    The author published his latest novel under a pseudonym to maintain his privacy.

    Synonyms: pen name, nickname, alias

    Origin: from French 'pseudonyme', from Greek 'pseudōnymon', meaning 'false name'

  5. pestilence · noun/ˈpɛstələns/

    a contagious or infectious disease that is devastating to a population

    The outbreak of pestilence swept through the city, leaving devastation in its wake.

    Synonyms: plague, epidemic, contagion

    Origin: From Middle English pestilence, from Old French pestilence, from Latin pestilentia, from pestis meaning 'plague' or 'pestilence'.