defamers
Those spreading lies
Defamers are people who damage another's reputation through false statements.
The word carries legal weight—defamation is actionable in court—but applies broadly to anyone who spreads lies about others: The defamers had ruined his career with their accusations.
A defamer may act through spoken slander or written libel.
Those who defame others
- libelersThose who publish defamation
- backbitersPeople who malign others secretly
- detractorsPeople who criticize
- scandalmongersSpreaders of malicious rumors
mudslingers · revilers · disparagers · denigrators · smearers · vilifiers · gossipmongers · rumormongers
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- disparageExpress low opinion of
calumniate · traduce · besmirch · tarnish · blacken · smear · malign · discredit
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- envyResentful longing for another's
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
vendetta · grudge · resentment · animosity · ill-will · hatred · hostility · bitterness
Malicious false statement
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
- dishonorLoss of respect
disgrace · humiliation · stigma · taint · stain · besmirchment · disrepute · scandal
Deliberate untruths
- fabricationsInvented untrue statements
- falsehoodsDeliberate untruths
- misrepresentationsUntrue depictions of reality
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
untruths · distortions · innuendo · rumors · hearsay · gossip · misinformation · slander
slanderers
Those who defame others
- libelersThose who publish defamation
- backbitersPeople who malign others secretly
- detractorsPeople who criticize
scandalmongers · mudslingers · revilers · disparagers · denigrators · smearers · vilifiers · gossipmongers · rumormongers · talebearers
slander
Spoken false defamation
disparage · calumniate · traduce · besmirch · tarnish · blacken · smear · malign · discredit · impugn
malice
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- envyResentful longing for another's
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
revenge · vendetta · grudge · resentment · animosity · ill-will · hatred · hostility · bitterness · vindictiveness
calumny
Malicious false statement
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
dishonor · disgrace · humiliation · stigma · taint · stain · besmirchment · disrepute · scandal · shame
lies
Deliberate untruths
- fabricationsInvented untrue statements
- falsehoodsDeliberate untruths
- misrepresentationsUntrue depictions of reality
disinformation · untruths · distortions · innuendo · rumors · hearsay · gossip · misinformation · slander · libel
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- cybercriminalshacker, hackers, scammer, scammers, phishers
defamersdefenders
Those who shield others
champions · supporters · advocates · vindicators · apologists
defamersuplifters
Those who elevate mood
encouragers · allies · benefactors · well-wishers · cheerleaders
defamerspraisers
Those who express approval
admirers · flatterers · glorifiers · exalters · celebrators