backbiter
Whispers cruel lies
A backbiter is someone who speaks maliciously about others when they're not present.
The term captures the sneaky, cowardly nature of such criticism—attacking from behind rather than confronting directly.
The office backbiter spread rumors about anyone who got promoted.
Backbiting, the noun and gerund form, refers to the practice itself and carries strong moral condemnation in many religious and ethical traditions.
One who slanders others
- smearerOne who vilifies
- vilifierOne who disparages
- calumniatorOne who spreads falsehoods
- traducerOne who maligns
denigrator · disparager · reviler · libeler · detractor · maligner · poison pen
One who spreads unverified talk
- talebearerOne who spreads rumors
- scandalmongerSpreader of shameful rumors
- gossiperOne who spreads rumors
- whispererOne who speaks softly
tattler · blabbermouth · busybody · yenta · newsmonger · gossipmonger · informant · snitch
One who betrays allegiance
- betrayerOne who breaks allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- double-crosserOne who deceives confederates
- JudasArchetypal betrayer name
snake · double-dealer · backstabber · false friend · snake in the grass · frenemy · wolf in sheep's clothing · informer
Insincere and deceptive
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
- hypocriticalFeigning beliefs one lacks
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
sneaky · conniving · deceitful · treacherous · false · cunning · sly · untrustworthy
Wanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
- venomousProducing injected toxins
catty · nasty · bitter · resentful · hostile · vicious · envious · jealous
defamer
One who slanders others
- smearerOne who vilifies
- vilifierOne who disparages
- calumniatorOne who spreads falsehoods
traducer · denigrator · disparager · reviler · libeler · detractor · maligner · poison pen
rumormonger
One who spreads unverified talk
- talebearerOne who spreads rumors
- scandalmongerSpreader of shameful rumors
- gossiperOne who spreads rumors
whisperer · tattler · blabbermouth · busybody · yenta · newsmonger · gossipmonger · informant · snitch · telltale
traitor
One who betrays allegiance
- betrayerOne who breaks allegiance
- turncoatOne who betrays allegiance
- double-crosserOne who deceives confederates
Judas · snake · double-dealer · backstabber · false friend · snake in the grass · frenemy · wolf in sheep's clothing · informer · quisling
two-faced
Insincere and deceptive
- duplicitousDeliberately deceptive in nature
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
- hypocriticalFeigning beliefs one lacks
underhanded · sneaky · conniving · deceitful · treacherous · false · cunning · sly · untrustworthy · scheming
spiteful
Wanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
venomous · catty · nasty · bitter · resentful · hostile · vicious · envious · jealous · petty
- defamersdefamer, libeler, calumniator, maligner, vilifier
- blabbermouthsblabbermouth, gossipmonger, rumormonger, scandalmonger, talebearer
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder