Part of Speech

Adjective

Phonetic Transcription

/əˈbloʊkwɪəs/

Meaning and Usage

Meaning: The term "obloquious" refers to someone who is prone to speaking ill or slandering others. It embodies the act of using harsh or critical language, often in a wanton or unjust manner.

Usage in English: The word is quite rare and is mostly found in written contexts rather than spoken language. It has a formal tone, often used in literature, criticism, or highbrow discussions.

Frequency of Use: The word "obloquious" is not commonly used in everyday conversation, making it less frequent in both oral and written English compared to more common synonyms.

Example Sentences

1. His obloquious remarks during the debate were surprising and unbecoming of a candidate.
   Sus comentarios obloquiosos durante el debate fueron sorprendentes y poco apropiados para un candidato.

2. The obloquious nature of the gossip left many feeling uncomfortable and wary of who to trust.
   La naturaleza obloquiosa del chisme dejó a muchos sintiéndose incómodos y recelosos sobre en quién confiar.

3. She couldn't stand his obloquious behavior at the party, as it only served to alienate our friends.
   No podía soportar su comportamiento obloquioso en la fiesta, ya que solo servía para alejar a nuestros amigos.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "obloquious" itself does not commonly appear in idiomatic expressions, its implications align closely with terms relating to criticism, slander, or derogatory comments. Here are some idioms that reflect similar themes:

1. Throw someone under the bus.
   This means to betray a friend or colleague for personal gain, often involving harsh criticism. Ella te tiró bajo el autobús cuando dijo que eras responsable del error.
   (She threw you under the bus when she said you were responsible for the mistake.)

2. Bite someone's head off.
   This phrase refers to reacting with anger towards someone, often overreacting to a small issue. No le muerdas la cabeza, solo te estaba haciendo una pregunta simple.
   (Don’t bite his head off; he was just asking you a simple question.)

3. Stab in the back.
   This idiom means to betray someone’s trust, usually when they least expect it. Fue como un apuñalamiento por la espalda cuando su amigo lo denunció.
   (It was like a stab in the back when his friend reported him.)

4. Speak ill of someone.
   This refers to the action of saying negative things about someone, usually behind their back. No deberías hablar mal de ella; nunca sabes quién puede escuchar.
   (You shouldn’t speak ill of her; you never know who might be listening.)

Etymology

The term "obloquious" originates from the Latin word "obloquium," meaning "to speak against." The root consists of "ob-" (against) and "loqui" (to speak). It entered English in the early 17th century, maintained its negative connotation related to speaking ill of others.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Defamatory
- Slanderous
- Malicious

Antonyms:
- Complimentary
- Supportive
- Flattering