calumny
False, damaging accusation
Calumny is a false statement made to damage someone's reputation—a formal word for slander or defamation.
The term carries a sense of deliberate malice rather than casual gossip: The accusations were nothing but calumny designed to destroy her career.
Unlike rumors, which may spread innocently, calumny implies intentional harm through lies.
Printed defamation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
disparagement · traducement · aspersion · detraction · obloquy · mudslinging · character assassination · besmirchment
Informal talk spreading rumors
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · talebearing · insinuation · whispering campaign · grapevine · rumormongering · poison pen letter
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
canard · slur · prevarication · distortion · falsification · invention · fiction · mendacity
Loss of respect
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- ignominyState of dishonor
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
discredit · disrepute · infamy · opprobrium · reproach · stain · blemish · blot
Petty malicious intent
- malevolenceActive ill will
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
- malignityIntense, settled hatred
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
vitriol · rancor · venom · nastiness · meanness · spitefulness · hatefulness · maliciousness
libel
Printed defamation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
denigration · disparagement · traducement · aspersion · detraction · obloquy · mudslinging · character assassination · besmirchment · backbiting
gossip
Informal talk spreading rumors
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
scandal · tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · talebearing · insinuation · whispering campaign · grapevine · rumormongering · poison pen letter · smear campaign
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
misrepresentation · canard · slur · prevarication · distortion · falsification · invention · fiction · mendacity · tall tale
dishonor
Loss of respect
tarnish · discredit · disrepute · infamy · opprobrium · reproach · stain · blemish · blot · damaged reputation
spite
Petty malicious intent
- malevolenceActive ill will
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
- malignityIntense, settled hatred
vindictiveness · vitriol · rancor · venom · nastiness · meanness · spitefulness · hatefulness · maliciousness · cruelty
- accusationsaccusation, accuse, accuser, allegation, allege
- defamationslander, libel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming
- invectiveabuse, insult, insults, slur, vilification
- slanderslander, defamation, libel, false accusation, character assassination
- smear tacticssmear, smear campaign, mudslinging, attack ads, hit piece
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, demonizing, demonisation, demonize
calumnypraise
Expression of approval
eulogy · panegyric · commendation · acclaim · adulation
calumnyvindication
Clearance of blame
exoneration · exculpation · justification · defense · rehabilitation
calumnious, calumniate, calumnies, calumniator, calumniation