bad-mouth
Speak ill of
To bad-mouth someone is to speak ill of them, criticize them behind their back, or damage their reputation through negative talk: She's always bad-mouthing her ex.
The term suggests unfair or excessive criticism rather than legitimate complaint.
Also appears as a noun: tired of the constant bad-mouth from rivals.
Judge unfavorably, vocally
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- decryOpenly criticize harshly
denounce · condemn · deprecate · knock · pan · slam · trash-talk · put down
Harm reputation falsely
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
traduce · besmirch · malign · aspersion · backbite · tarnish · blacken · discredit
Contemptuous mocking treatment
- mockScornful imitation or fake
- derideMock with contempt
- tauntInsulting provocation
- jeerVocal expression of scorn
scoff · lampoon · roast · razz · gibe · sneer · scorn · make fun of
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- scuttlebuttInformal rumor or speculation
dirt · innuendo · tales · talk · buzz · chatter · backbiting · backstabbing
Disdainful disregard
- disdainScornful disregard
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- disrespectLack of regard
- dismissivenessAttitude of casual disregard
snub · slight · insult · offend · affront · degradation · put-down · brush-off
criticize
Judge unfavorably, vocally
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- disparageExpress low opinion of
decry · denounce · condemn · deprecate · knock · pan · slam · trash-talk · put down · run down
defame
Harm reputation falsely
vilify · traduce · besmirch · malign · aspersion · backbite · tarnish · blacken · discredit · stigmatize
ridicule
Contemptuous mocking treatment
jeer · scoff · lampoon · roast · razz · gibe · sneer · scorn · make fun of · poke fun
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
scuttlebutt · dirt · innuendo · tales · talk · buzz · chatter · backbiting · backstabbing · behind someone's back
contempt
Disdainful disregard
- disdainScornful disregard
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- disrespectLack of regard
dismissiveness · snub · slight · insult · offend · affront · degradation · put-down · brush-off · cold shoulder
berate
Criticize severely and lengthily
castigate · excoriate · lambaste · tongue-lashing · harangue · diatribe · upbraid · chastise · dress down · lay into
spite
Petty malicious intent
vitriol · bitterness · resentment · hostility · grudge · rancor · animus · meanness · nastiness · hatefulness