maligners
Those who defame
Maligners are people who speak harmful falsehoods about others—those who malign.
The word implies deliberate damage to reputation rather than casual gossip: His maligners spread rumors that cost him the election.
Someone's maligners are specifically those who speak ill of that person: She had her defenders, but her maligners were louder.
Those who defame others
- libelersThose who publish defamation
- vilifiersThose who disparage others
- backbitersPeople who malign others secretly
- smearersThose who spread damaging lies
denigrators · disparagers · detractors · scandalmongers · rumormongers · talebearers · gossipmongers · accusers
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- enmityBitter, lasting ill will
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
ill-will · malevolence · bitterness · grudge · vindictiveness · hatred · jealousy · envy
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
denigration · disparagement · smear · backbiting · gossip · rumormongering · mudslinging · aspersion
Compromised public standing
- disgraceLoss of honor
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- dishonorLoss of respect
- stigmaMark of dishonor
infamy · scandal · notoriety · loss of trust · ostracism · discredit
slanderers
Those who defame others
- libelersThose who publish defamation
- vilifiersThose who disparage others
- backbitersPeople who malign others secretly
smearers · denigrators · disparagers · detractors · scandalmongers · rumormongers · talebearers · gossipmongers · accusers · revilers
malice
Intent to cause harm
resentment · ill-will · malevolence · bitterness · grudge · vindictiveness · hatred · jealousy · envy · rancor
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
vilification · denigration · disparagement · smear · backbiting · gossip · rumormongering · mudslinging · aspersion · innuendo
damaged reputation
Compromised public standing
- disgraceLoss of honor
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- dishonorLoss of respect
stigma · infamy · scandal · notoriety · loss of trust · ostracism · discredit
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- scornersscoffers, mockers, deriders, sneerers, jeerers
malignerspraisers
Those who express approval
extollers · admirers · glorifiers · complimenters · supporters
malignersdefenders
Those who shield others
champions · advocates · apologists · vindicators · protectors