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screed

/skriːd/  ·  say it: SKREED

a long, angry piece of writing

In From the Opinion Pages

In more detail

1. (noun) a long, angry written or spoken criticism or complaint

2. (noun) a long piece of writing or speech, often on a dull topic

Examples

• 1. He went on a screed about how unfairly he had been treated. 2. The textbook contained a long screed about economic theory.

How to use screed

A screed typically implies an extended, forceful, and often tedious outpouring of criticism or complaints, usually in writing but also in speech. It often carries a slightly negative connotation suggesting excessive length or vehemence. The term is more specific than 'complaint' but less formal than 'diatribe' or 'harangue.'

Common phrases

• deliver a screed
• lengthy screed
• bitter screed
• political screed
• screed against

Synonyms

tirade · diatribe · rant · harangue · polemic

Word family

screeds (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse screed with 'script' or use it to mean simply any lengthy piece of writing without the critical or complaining tone that is usually central to the meaning.

Nearby in From the Opinion Pages

hypocrisy, reductive, facile, jeremiad, egregious, feckless

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained