speaks ill of
Talks trash about
To speak ill of someone is to say negative or disparaging things about them, usually in their absence: She never speaks ill of her ex-husband, even after what he did.
The phrase has a slightly formal or old-fashioned ring.
The opposite is to speak well of someone.
- malignAttack someone's reputation
- vilifyAttack someone's reputation
- defamatoryHarming someone's good name
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- drag through the mudPublicly damage someone's name
backbite · defame · criticize · run down · condemn · decry · asperse · spread rumors · gossip · besmirch · trash-talk · talk trash · disparage · throw shade · put down · injurious · resentment · denounce
verbal evaluation
speaks ill ofpraises
Verbally commends
commends · lauds · extols · compliments · eulogizes
social impact on reputation
speaks ill ofdefends
Acts to protect
stands up for · champions · vouches for · endorses · recommends
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