spreading rumors
Passing unverified stories
Spreading rumors is circulating unverified information about someone or something, typically behind the subject's back.
The phrase implies gossip that may be false or harmful: She's been spreading rumors about his personal life.
Unlike sharing news, spreading rumors suggests carelessness about truth and potential damage to reputation.
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- word of mouthInformation passed through conversation
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- dirty laundryEmbarrassing private matters
hearsay · backstabbing · slander · innuendo · grapevine · tattle · mudslinging · smear · defamation · busybody · water cooler · juicy · malicious · tongues · wagging · trash-talk · secrets · hushed
- gossipgossip, hearsay, whisper, scuttlebutt, tittle-tattle
- social wrongsrudeness, disrespect, insults, insult, lying
- annoying behaviorsnagging, pestering, bothering, irritating, aggravating
- disclosurerevealing, disclosing, disclosure, disclose, divulge
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
spreading rumorskeeping secrets
spreading rumorsstating facts
fact-checking · telling the truth · investigative journalism · setting the record straight · responsible journalism
spread, spreading, spreads, spreader, spreaders, widespread, rumor, rumors, rumored