backbitings
Talking behind backs
Backbitings is the plural of backbiting—malicious talk about someone who isn't present.
The word emphasizes repeated instances or multiple sources of such gossip: The office was rife with backbitings and petty jealousies.
It carries a slightly archaic or biblical tone, appearing more often in older texts than contemporary speech.
False statements harming reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- smearSpread or defame
- aspersionDefamatory remark
denigration · traducement · disparagement · detraction · mudslinging · character assassination · libel · insinuation
Petty malicious intent
- malevolenceActive ill will
- malignityIntense, settled hatred
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
nastiness · meanness · enmity · animosity · bitterness · resentment · venom · spitefulness
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- talebearerOne who spreads rumors
gossipmonger · busybody · blabbermouth · gossiping · chinwag · prattle · natter · yenta
Breathy, near-silent speech
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- stealthySecretly cautious in movement
two-faced · sneaky · treacherous · duplicitous · insidious · scheming · conniving · disloyal
defamation
False statements harming reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- smearSpread or defame
aspersion · denigration · traducement · disparagement · detraction · mudslinging · character assassination · libel · insinuation · innuendo
spite
Petty malicious intent
- malevolenceActive ill will
- malignityIntense, settled hatred
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
vindictiveness · nastiness · meanness · enmity · animosity · bitterness · resentment · venom · spitefulness · cattiness
rumormongering
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
talebearer · gossipmonger · busybody · blabbermouth · gossiping · chinwag · prattle · natter · yenta · scandalmonger
whispering
Breathy, near-silent speech
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
stealthy · two-faced · sneaky · treacherous · duplicitous · insidious · scheming · conniving · disloyal · deceitful
backbitingspraise
Expression of approval
commendations · accolades · compliments · laudations · endorsements
backbitingssupport
To uphold or sustain
loyalty · solidarity · advocacy · defense · standing up for