jeremiad
jeremiad
Pronunciation
/ˌdʒɛrəˈmaɪəd/
jer-: /dʒɛr/
/dʒ/ - voiced postalveolar affricate (as in "judge")
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel (as in "bed")
/r/ - alveolar approximant (as in "red")
-e-: /ə/
/ə/ - mid-central vowel, schwa (as in the "a" in "about")
-mi-: /maɪ/
/maɪ/ - diphthong, starting with /a/ (open front unrounded vowel) and moving to /ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel).
-ad: /əd/
/əd/ - schwa followed by a voiced alveolar stop.
/ə/ - mid-central vowel, schwa (as in the "a" in "about")
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop (as in "dog")
Word Form Variations
Singular:
jeremiad
Plural:
jeremiads
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1:
A prolonged and mournful expression of complaint or lamentation, often concerning perceived societal decline or impending disaster.
Example: "The politician delivered a lengthy jeremiad about the state of the nation."
Definition 2:
A long, scolding speech or written work expressing disapproval and warning of negative consequences.
Example: "His letter to the editor was a jeremiad against modern technology."
Synonyms:
Lament
Complaint
Tirade
Diatribe
Harangue
Screed
Wail
Antonyms:
Paean (a song of praise)
Encomium (a formal expression of praise)
Approbation (approval or praise)
Celebration
laudation.
Examples of Use
In Publications:
News and Opinion:
"After this jeremiad for a nation in crisis, one wonders how Osnos can possibly suggest a way out." (Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2021) This shows the word used to describe a long, critical commentary on the state of a country.
"The speaker ends her jeremiad, and the only people to clap are the members of Die Linke, isolated in the far-left section of the chamber." (The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021) this example shows the word used to describe a long and complaining speech.
"What these scholars offer is not a dense political tome but a lively jeremiad." (The Courier-Journal, 4 June 2018) this example shows the word being used to describe a work of criticism.
Literary Criticism:
"Yet even a weary reader might hope that this millennial novelist may do what traditional jeremiads have not: Wake us up." (Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2019) This illustrates how "jeremiad" can be used in discussions of literary themes.
General Public Discourse:
The word is often used in political commentary to describe speeches or writings that strongly criticize government policies or social trends.
In online discussions, particularly on social media and in comment sections, people might use "jeremiad" to refer to lengthy and negative posts or comments.
The term is used when people are describing a long winded complaint. for example, someone could say "He went on a jeremiad about how bad his job was."
10 Famous Quotes Using Jeremiad
“Every generation writes its own jeremiad, grieving what it fears to lose.”
“My mentor said a jeremiad without a call to action is merely despair dressed as wisdom.”
“History is filled with jeremiad warnings ignored until too late.”
“A poet wrote that the heart sings a quiet jeremiad when longing turns to sorrow.”
“Revolutions often begin with a collective jeremiad against injustice.”
“Leaders must discern when a critique is a jeremiad and when it is a roadmap.”
“Society grows weary of constant jeremiad, yet moved by honest lament.”
“A true jeremiad mourns what might be lost while urging what must be saved.”
“Hope can rise from a jeremiad if courage follows grief.”
“Beware the false prophet whose every word is a jeremiad without accountability.”
Etymology
Basically, "jeremiad" comes from the name of the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah. He was a guy who lived a long time ago, and he was known for delivering really serious and often sad messages from God to the people of Israel.
Here's the breakdown:
Jeremiah:
He was a prophet who warned the people about their sins and the disasters that would happen if they didn't change their ways.
His writings, which are in the Bible in the Book of Jeremiah, are full of these sad warnings and complaints about the state of his society.
Jeremiad:
Because Jeremiah's writings were so full of lament and warnings, people started using his name to describe similar kinds of writings or speeches.
So, a "jeremiad" is essentially a long, sad complaint or a warning about bad things that are going to happen, just like the messages Jeremiah delivered.
First known use:
The word started being used in English around the 17th century. It was used to describe sermons or writings that were similar to Jeremiah's prophecies.
Essentially, the first uses meant a long complaint, or a long winded warning.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Jeremiad
Phrases (Contextual Use):
"A lengthy jeremiad":
This is a common way to describe a long, complaining speech or piece of writing.
Example: "The politician delivered a lengthy jeremiad about the failures of the opposition."
"A political jeremiad":
Used to describe a critical speech or writing related to politics.
Example: "His blog post was a political jeremiad against the new tax laws."
"To deliver a jeremiad":
This phrase means to give a long, complaining speech.
Example: "The professor delivered a jeremiad about the decline of academic standards."
"A jeremiad against [something]":
This phrase is used to describe a long complaint directed at a specific topic.
Example: "The author wrote a jeremiad against the effects of social media."
Idioms with Synonyms (For Similar Effect):
Since "jeremiad" is similar to "tirade," "lament," or "diatribe," we can look at idioms with those words:
"To go on a tirade":
This means to speak angrily and at length.
Example: "He went on a tirade about the traffic."
"A lament for [something]":
This expresses sadness or mourning for something lost.
Example: "A lament for lost youth."
"To launch a diatribe":
To start speaking or writing a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
Example: "He launched a diatribe against his former boss."
Original Phrases:
"The jeremiad of modern times":
Used to describe the collective complaints and anxieties of the present day.
"A digital jeremiad":
Used to describe a long, complaining post or thread on social media.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of jeremiad from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
