罵る|ののしるnonoshiru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, transitive verbto abuse (verbally); to curse at; to shout abuse at; to speak ill of
    彼女かのじょはさんざん私の事ことをののしった。↗
    She called me many terrible things.
Conjugation
Dictionary form罵る(ののしる)
Polite (masu)罵ります(ののしります)
Negative (nai)罵らない(ののしらない)
polite (masen)罵りません(ののしりません)
classical zu / nu罵らず・罵らぬ(ののしらず・ののしらぬ)
Past (ta)罵った(ののしった)
polite (mashita)罵りました(ののしりました)
Past negative (nakatta)罵らなかった(ののしらなかった)
polite (masen deshita)罵りませんでした(ののしりませんでした)
Te form罵って(ののしって)
Potential罵れる(ののしれる)
Passive罵られる(ののしられる)
Causative罵らせる(ののしらせる)
Causative passive罵らせられる・罵らされる(ののしらせられる・ののしらされる)
Conditional (ba)罵れば(ののしれば)
tara罵ったら(ののしったら)
Volitional罵ろう(ののしろう)
polite (mashou)罵りましょう(ののしりましょう)
Imperative罵れ(ののしれ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym毒づくどくづくNeutralBitter cursing out of resentment, often muttered as grumbling; 「罵る」 stresses hurling abusive language at someone.
  • Synonym罵倒ばとうNeutralA noun, also 「罵倒する」, for mercilessly bashing or tearing into someone; somewhat written, and fiercer than 「罵る」.
  • Synonym冷罵れいばWrittenWritten language for sneering, mocking abuse; rare — you would normally just say 「罵る」.
  • Synonym痛罵つうばWrittenWritten language for a scathing denunciation or harsh criticism; 「罵る」 is the everyday word.
  • Synonym嘲罵ちょうばWrittenWritten language for abusive mockery; rare — say 「罵る」 or 「嘲る」 instead.
  • Synonym漫罵まんばWrittenWritten language for indiscriminate abuse; rare — 「罵る」 is the usual choice.
  • Related悪口わるぐちNeutralBad-mouthing someone, usually behind their back; 「罵る」 is cursing with foul language, whether to the person's face or not.
  • Related誹謗ひぼうWrittenWritten word for speaking ill of and slandering someone, as in 「誹謗中傷」; 「罵る」 stresses the abusive language itself.
  • Related雑言ぞうごんWrittenAbusive, foul language, as in 「悪口雑言」; 「罵る」 is the act of cursing.
  • Related讒謗ざんぼうWrittenWritten word for slander and defamation; rare — say 「誹謗」 or 「中傷」 instead.
  • Antonym褒めるほめるNeutralTo praise someone — the direct opposite of reviling someone in harsh words with 「罵る」.
  • Antonym称えるたたえるWrittenWritten word for extolling or lauding someone; the opposite of abusing someone with 「罵る」.

Use 「罵る」 for cursing someone out with foul language, as in 「口汚く罵る」. For a merciless bashing say 「罵倒」; for bitter muttered cursing 「毒づく」; for bad-mouthing behind someone's back 「悪口」; for slander 「誹謗」. The rare written words 冷罵・痛罵・嘲罵・漫罵 usually give way to 「罵る」, while slander-type 「讒謗」 gives way to 「誹謗」 or 「中傷」. To praise, say 「褒める」 or, in formal prose, 「称える」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 汚きたない言葉ことばを使つかい悪口わるぐちを言ゆう。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android