Legal Definitions - obloquy

Obloquy refers to severe public criticism, abusive language, or widespread condemnation directed at an individual, group, or entity. It can also describe the resulting state of disgrace, dishonor, or bad repute that arises from such negative public discourse.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of obloquy:

• A pharmaceutical company released a new drug that was later found to have severe, undisclosed side effects, leading to numerous patient injuries. The subsequent media reports, public outcry, and official investigations, which harshly criticized the company's ethics and safety protocols, constituted significant obloquy.

  This example demonstrates obloquy as the severe public criticism and abusive language directed at the company due to its actions.

• After a high-ranking government official was implicated in a major corruption scandal, their previously respected career ended in a state of profound obloquy. They were widely condemned by the public and their peers, losing all credibility and public trust.

  Here, obloquy refers to the resulting state of disgrace and bad repute that the official experienced due to the scandal and public condemnation.

• A famous athlete was caught cheating during a major competition, leading to their disqualification and a lifetime ban. The torrent of negative comments on social media, the scathing editorials in sports magazines, and the general public's disappointment and anger created an atmosphere of intense obloquy around the athlete's name.

  This illustrates obloquy through both the abusive language (negative comments, scathing editorials) and the resulting widespread condemnation and damage to the athlete's reputation.