calumniating
Making false accusations
Calumniating is making false and malicious statements to damage someone's reputation.
The word is formal and somewhat archaic, more likely found in legal contexts or older literature than everyday speech: He was accused of calumniating his business partner to gain control of the company.
The noun is calumny; the adjective calumnious.
Printed defamation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
aspersion · traducement · detraction · obloquy · muckraking · scandal · discredit · stigma
Deliberately untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- perjuryCriminal courtroom dishonesty
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
lying · prevarication · falsehood · slander · false testimony · baseless claims
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- venomousProducing injected toxins
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
insidious · vicious · mean-spirited · malicious intent · ill-willed · hateful · resentful
libel
Printed defamation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
denigration · aspersion · traducement · detraction · obloquy · muckraking · scandal · discredit · stigma · besmirchment
fabrication
Deliberately untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- perjuryCriminal courtroom dishonesty
disinformation · lying · prevarication · falsehood · slander · false testimony · baseless claims
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- venomousProducing injected toxins
hostile · insidious · vicious · mean-spirited · malicious intent · ill-willed · hateful · resentful
calumniatingpraising
Voicing admiration
lauding · extolling · commending · eulogizing · glorifying
calumniatingvindicating
Proving someone was correct
exonerating · clearing · absolving · rehabilitating · defending