VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

ranting

verb, noun·Everydaydisapprovinginformal

Last updated

UK/ˈræn.tɪŋ/
US/ˈræn.tɪŋ/

“ranting” is a form of “rant”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. verbintransitive

    Speaking loudly and at length, usually angrily and with little logical order.

    Grammar: No direct object; commonly used with about or against and often in the phrase ranting and raving.

    Patterns

    • rant about something
    • rant against someone
    • ranting and raving

    He spent ten minutes ranting about the late train.

    Protesters were ranting against the new parking fees outside city hall.

  2. noununcountable

    Loud, angry, and often repetitive talk that complains rather than persuades.

    Grammar: Mass noun; use some ranting or her ranting, not a ranting.

    Patterns

    • angry ranting
    • hours of ranting
    • tired of the ranting

    Her ranting about the referee drowned out calmer voices.

    After an hour of ranting, he finally accepted the decision.

Common combinations

ranting about politics
My uncle does too much ranting about politics at breakfast.
ranting and raving
The customer was ranting and raving over a two-dollar charge.
angry ranting
The comment section was full of angry ranting.
stop ranting
Please stop ranting and tell me what actually happened.

Synonyms and how they differ

raving
Suggests wilder, less coherent speech; ranting can still have a repeated complaint.
railing
More formal or literary and usually takes against; it can sound controlled compared with ranting.
venting
Releasing strong feelings; it may be private and calm, while ranting is loud and public.

Opposites

reasoned debate

Word family

rant verb
Base form: to speak angrily at length.
rant noun
A spell of angry, lengthy complaint.
ranter noun
A person who rants, often habitually.

Commonly confused: ranting or chanting? ranting or ranking?

ranting vs chanting

Chanting repeats words rhythmically, often in crowds or rituals; ranting is angry and uncontrolled.

ranting vs ranking

Ranking means listing by position; ranting means complaining loudly.

Practice

Choose the best sentence: No object is needed, and the speaker is furious about a bill.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ranting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words