calumniates
Maliciously tells falsehoods
Calumniates means makes false and damaging statements about someone—to slander or defame.
The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned: He calumniates his rivals at every opportunity.
Someone who calumniates engages in calumny, attacking another's reputation through lies.
Attack someone's reputation
- libelPrinted defamation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- defameHarm reputation falsely
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
smear · besmirch · disparage · impugn · traduce · asperse · malign · backbite
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
distortion · invention · canard · slur · aspersion · insinuation · innuendo · rumor
Loss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- stigmatizeMark with dishonor
taint · blemish · damage · ruin · destroy · undermine · injure · humiliate
Meaning to do harm
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
hostile · venomous · vicious · resentful · envious · jealous · insidious · calculating
vilify
Attack someone's reputation
denigrate · smear · besmirch · disparage · impugn · traduce · asperse · malign · backbite · badmouth
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
untruth · distortion · invention · canard · slur · aspersion · insinuation · innuendo · rumor · gossip
disgrace
Loss of honor
stigmatize · taint · blemish · damage · ruin · destroy · undermine · injure · humiliate · degrade
malicious
Meaning to do harm
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- malevolentHarboring ill will
mean-spirited · hostile · venomous · vicious · resentful · envious · jealous · insidious · calculating · deliberate
calumniatesvindicates
Proves innocence or correctness
exonerates · clears · vouches for · absolves · verifies
calumniatesdefends
Acts to protect
champions · supports · stands up for · vouches for · upholds