slanderously
In maligning fashion
In a manner that spreads false statements damaging to someone's reputation.
To speak slanderously is to make defamatory claims you know or should know are untrue: She was slanderously accused of embezzling funds.
The word carries legal weight—slander is spoken defamation, distinct from written libel.
Harming someone's good name
- calumniousFalsely accusatory and harmful
- vilifyingMaliciously disparaging someone
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
- besmirchingDamaging someone's reputation
tarnishing · discrediting · maligning · traducing · impugning · blackening · denigrating · libel
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
hostile · mean-spirited · venomous · virulent · baleful · pernicious · nasty · cruel
Expressing negative judgment
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- insultingShowing contempt through words
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
demeaning · degrading · scathing · vituperative · abusive · offensive · contemptuous · scornful
Contrary to fact
- untruthfullyIn a lying manner
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- distortionTwisting from original state
lie · mendaciously · deceitfully · dishonestly · baseless · unfounded · spurious · invented
One who spreads unverified talk
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
innuendo · talebearer · gossipmonger · scurrilous · busybody · rumormongering · tongues wagging · hearsay
defamatory
Harming someone's good name
- calumniousFalsely accusatory and harmful
- vilifyingMaliciously disparaging someone
- smearingSpreading by rubbing
besmirching · tarnishing · discrediting · maligning · traducing · impugning · blackening · denigrating · libel · calumny
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
vicious · hostile · mean-spirited · venomous · virulent · baleful · pernicious · nasty · cruel · wicked
disparaging
Expressing negative judgment
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- insultingShowing contempt through words
belittling · demeaning · degrading · scathing · vituperative · abusive · offensive · contemptuous · scornful · mocking
falsely
Contrary to fact
- untruthfullyIn a lying manner
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
distortion · lie · mendaciously · deceitfully · dishonestly · baseless · unfounded · spurious · invented · concocted
rumormonger
One who spreads unverified talk
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
tittle-tattle · innuendo · talebearer · gossipmonger · scurrilous · busybody · rumormongering · tongues wagging · hearsay · scandal
slanderouslytruthfully
Without deception or lies
accurately · honestly · factually · verifiably · reliably
slanderouslycomplimentarily
Without requiring payment
flatteringly · admiringly · approvingly · reverently · glowingly
slanderouslyfairly
Moderately or equitably
justly · equitably · impartially · even-handedly · charitably