Harangue is a long speech addressed to a large public assembly. Usually the speech is an offensive one (i.e., a verbal attack), but the word can also indicate pompous or tedious speeches.
But what started as a spat at a teenage sleepover swiftly escalated into a three-month harangue of threatening e-mails and defacement of her weblog. (USA Today)
Even as America’s politicians harangue the bankers, the bankers are sniping back. (The Economist)
Michael Jordan’s recent HOF speech is a good example.
Thanks to Ambrose Bierce for this:
HARANGUE, n. A speech by an opponent, who is known as an harangue-outang.
It is also used in the name of a great writing website: .