backbite
Malign behind backs
To backbite is to speak maliciously about someone who isn't present—to criticize or slander behind their back.
The word carries a sense of cowardice or betrayal, since the target can't defend themselves: Office politics breeds backbiting.
A backbiter engages in such talk habitually.
Harm reputation falsely
- malignAttack someone's reputation
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- smearSpread or defame
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
disparage · besmirch · traduce · calumniate · libel · asperse · slur · badmouth
Meaning to do harm
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- cattySlyly spiteful
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
venomous · nasty · snide · bitter · hostile · resentful · envious · petty
Violate a trust
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- disloyalUntrue to commitments
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
false friend · snake in the grass · Judas · backstabber · double-dealer · turncoat · traitor · underminer
Speech without full voice
- tattleReveal another's wrongdoing
- blabDivulge indiscreetly
- dishFood container or recipe
- spillAccidental liquid release
hearsay · scuttlebutt · tittle-tattle · innuendo · rumor · chitchat · gossipmonger · rumormonger
defame
Harm reputation falsely
denigrate · disparage · besmirch · traduce · calumniate · libel · asperse · slur · badmouth · trash-talk
malicious
Meaning to do harm
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- cattySlyly spiteful
mean-spirited · venomous · nasty · snide · bitter · hostile · resentful · envious · petty · vicious
betray
Violate a trust
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- disloyalUntrue to commitments
treacherous · false friend · snake in the grass · Judas · backstabber · double-dealer · turncoat · traitor · underminer · wolf in sheep's clothing
whisper
Speech without full voice
spill · hearsay · scuttlebutt · tittle-tattle · innuendo · rumor · chitchat · gossipmonger · rumormonger · busybody
- disparagementdefame, denigrate, disparage, malign, slander
- defamationslander, libel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming
backbitepraise
Expression of approval
commend · eulogize · compliment · extol · laud
backbitedefend
Protect from harm
stand up for · vouch for · protect · support · have someone's back