tirade
What does "tirade" mean?
A tirade is a long, angry, and critical speech. Think of it as a verbal explosion where someone lets out a sustained stream of frustration or condemnation, often directed at a specific person or situation. It is characterized by its length and the intense, accusatory tone of the speaker. While it implies a loss of temper, a tirade is usually more structured than simple shouting; it is an extended rant. In formal contexts, it describes a critique that is perceived as over-the-top or unfairly aggressive. You might hear it used in phrases like "to launch into a tirade" or "a tirade against," highlighting how the speaker is actively unleashing their grievances.
"tirade" in conversation
After a meeting
Did you see the boss today?
Did you see the boss today?
Yeah, he went on a twenty-minute tirade about the budget cuts.
Yeah, he went on a twenty-minute tirade about the budget cuts.
I could barely keep a straight face.
I could barely keep a straight face.
Used here to describe a professional setting where someone lost their composure.
Discussing a movie review
Have you read Dave's latest blog post?
Have you read Dave's latest blog post?
I did. It was just a tirade against the film industry.
I did. It was just a tirade against the film industry.
It wasn't really a review, was it?
It wasn't really a review, was it?
Highlights how a tirade is often viewed as subjective and overly aggressive.
"tirade" in a sentence
The coach went on a tirade after the team lost.
The coach went on a tirade after the team lost.
She launched into a tirade against the new office policies.
She launched into a tirade against the new office policies.
His endless tirade regarding the state of modern art left the audience feeling exhausted.
His endless tirade regarding the state of modern art left the audience feeling exhausted.
