slanderous
Harmfully untrue speech
Slanderous describes speech that damages someone's reputation through false statements: a slanderous accusation, slanderous remarks.
In legal contexts, slander is specifically spoken defamation (as opposed to written libel), but slanderous is used broadly for any maliciously false characterization: The article was filled with slanderous claims about her business practices.
Maliciously disparaging someone
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- denigratoryUnfairly critical in nature
- traducingMaligning someone's character
- maligningSaying false, harmful things
derogatory · scandalous · injurious · libel · defamation · calumny · smear · mudslinging
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- venomousProducing injected toxins
- vitriolicHarshly bitter and corrosive
malignant · vicious · nasty · hostile · poisonous · mean-spirited · ill-intentioned · catty
Talking about absent people
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
- bad-mouthingVerbally attacking someone's reputation
trash-talking · muckraking · scandalmonger · defamer · libeler · rumormonger · gossipmonger · tattling
Invented, not real
- untruthfulNot speaking facts
- falseNot matching reality
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- deceptiveCreating false impressions
misleading · invented · distorted · exaggerated · baseless · unfounded · groundless · untrue
vilifying
Maliciously disparaging someone
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- denigratoryUnfairly critical in nature
- traducingMaligning someone's character
maligning · derogatory · scandalous · injurious · libel · defamation · calumny · smear · mudslinging · character assassination
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- venomousProducing injected toxins
vitriolic · malignant · vicious · nasty · hostile · poisonous · mean-spirited · ill-intentioned · catty · pernicious
gossiping
Talking about absent people
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
bad-mouthing · trash-talking · muckraking · scandalmonger · defamer · libeler · rumormonger · gossipmonger · tattling · spreading lies
fabricated
Invented, not real
- untruthfulNot speaking facts
- falseNot matching reality
- lyingStating known falsehoods
deceptive · misleading · invented · distorted · exaggerated · baseless · unfounded · groundless · untrue · fictitious
slanderouslaudatory
Expressing strong approval
complimentary · praising · eulogistic · adulatory · panegyrical
slanderousharmless
Causing no injury
benign · benevolent · kind · supportive · charitable