scandalmongering
Trading in disgrace
Scandalmongering is the practice of spreading or trading in scandal—circulating sensational gossip, rumors, or damaging information about others.
The term carries disapproval, suggesting someone who takes unseemly pleasure in others' misfortunes or who profits from exposing private matters: The tabloids engage in relentless scandalmongering.
A scandalmonger is the person who does it.
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- talebearingSpreading private information
- whispering campaignSecretive spread of damaging rumors
hearsay · innuendo · insinuation · buzzing · chatter · grapevine · loose lips · poison pen
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
calumny · denigration · disparagement · aspersion · traducement · malign · defame · besmirch
Sensationalist newspaper format
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
- clickbaitSensationalized content for traffic
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
- shock valueCapacity to disturb
titillation · hype · exploitation · gotcha journalism · paparazzi · tell-all · gutter press
rumormongering
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- talebearingSpreading private information
whispering campaign · hearsay · innuendo · insinuation · buzzing · chatter · grapevine · loose lips · poison pen · tell-all
slander
Spoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- smearSpread or defame
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
vilification · calumny · denigration · disparagement · aspersion · traducement · malign · defame · besmirch · tarnish
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
- clickbaitSensationalized content for traffic
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
shock value · titillation · hype · exploitation · gotcha journalism · paparazzi · tell-all · gutter press
scandalmongeringethical journalism
Morally sound news reporting
responsible journalism · investigative journalism · fact-checking · balanced reporting · integrity
scandalmongeringpraising
Voicing admiration
commending · lauding · extolling · building up · advocacy
scandalmongeringdiscretion
Careful judgment in speech
confidentiality · keeping secrets · privacy protection · silence · reticence
scandal, mongering, scandalous, scandals, scandalize, monger, scandalized, muckraking, scandalizing