rumormongering
Peddling unverified tales
Rumormongering is the spreading of unverified stories or gossip, typically with malicious or self-serving intent.
A rumormonger trades in speculation and hearsay: The campaign accused its opponents of rumormongering.
The word carries strong disapproval—it suggests deliberate circulation of information the speaker knows to be unreliable.
Breathy, near-silent speech
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- talebearingSpreading private information
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
chitchat · grapevine · loose lips · idle talk · scuttlebutt · whisper campaign · busybody · gossipmonger
Guess from limited facts
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- unverifiedNot yet proven true
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
alleged · supposed · purported · so-called · secondhand · word on the street · they say · supposedly
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
character assassination · mudslinging · defamation · smear campaign · traducing · aspersion · maligning · besmirching
Biased information for influence
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
- canardUnfounded malicious rumor
misinformation · fake news · untruth · distortion · falsification · deception · spin · misrepresentation
Non-violent enemy demoralization tactics
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
agitprop · astroturfing · trolling · social engineering · narrative control · skulduggery
whispering
Breathy, near-silent speech
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- talebearingSpreading private information
hearsay · chitchat · grapevine · loose lips · idle talk · scuttlebutt · whisper campaign · busybody · gossipmonger · blabbermouth
conjecture
Guess from limited facts
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- unverifiedNot yet proven true
unsubstantiated · alleged · supposed · purported · so-called · secondhand · word on the street · they say · supposedly · anonymous sources
slander
Spoken false defamation
vilification · character assassination · mudslinging · defamation · smear campaign · traducing · aspersion · maligning · besmirching · disparagement
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
canard · misinformation · fake news · untruth · distortion · falsification · deception · spin · misrepresentation · planted story
psychological warfare
Non-violent enemy demoralization tactics
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
subterfuge · agitprop · astroturfing · trolling · social engineering · narrative control · skulduggery
- gossipgossip, hearsay, whisper, scuttlebutt, tittle-tattle
- court intrigueintrigue, plots, schemes, plotting, conspiracy
- fearmongeringscaremongering, fearmongering, scare tactics, fear tactics, alarmism
rumormongeringfact-checking
Confirming accuracy of claims
investigative journalism · truth-telling · responsible journalism · documentation · corroboration
rumormongeringdiscretion
Careful judgment in speech
confidentiality · secrecy · silence · tight-lipped · keeping mum
rumormongeringpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · vindication · testimonial · advocacy · endorsement
rumor, rumors, rumored, rumoring, monger, rumormonger, mongering, rumormongers, rumor-monger