calumniate
/kə'lʌmnieit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
The politician accused his opponent of trying to calumniate him during the debate.
Definition
- Verb:
- To make false and malicious statements about someone; to slander or defame another person's character or reputation.
Usage
- Verb: The word "calumniate" is a formal verb used to describe the act of spreading false and damaging information about someone with the intent to harm their reputation. It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person being slandered).
- Example: The politician accused his opponent of trying to calumniate him in the press.
- Example: She was calumniated by former colleagues who spread vicious rumors.
Advanced Usage
- "to calumniate against": (Less common) To direct slanderous attacks toward a person or group.
- Example: The pamphlet was designed to calumniate against the religious minority.
- Gerund/Noun Form ("calumniating"): The act of slandering.
- Example: His constant calumniating of his rivals eventually backfired.
Variants and Related Words
- Calumny (n): A false and slanderous statement; the act of calumniating.
- Example: He sued the newspaper for calumny.
- Calumniator (n): A person who calumniates; a slanderer.
- Example: The anonymous calumniator was never identified.
- Calumnious (adj): Of the nature of calumny; slanderous.
- Example: The calumnious allegations were quickly disproven.
Synonyms
- Defame: To damage the good reputation of someone.
- Slander: To make a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
- Malign: To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.
- Vilify: To speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner.
- Smear: To damage the reputation of someone by false accusations.
Antonyms
- Praise: To express warm approval or admiration.
- Compliment: A polite expression of praise or admiration.
- Commend: To praise formally or officially.
- Eulogize: To praise highly in speech or writing.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "to be the victim of calumny": To be unjustly slandered.
- Example: The honest official became the victim of calumny by corrupt interests.
- "to hurl calumnies": To make strong, public accusations that are slanderous.
- Example: During the debate, the candidates hurled calumnies at each other.
The politician accused his opponent of trying to calumniate him during the debate.
Verb
- charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
- The journalists have defamed me! The article in the paper sullied my reputation