badmouth

Meaning

To criticize or malign, especially unfairly or spitefully.

Synonyms

diss

slander

denigrate

defame

scorn

malign

vilify

asperse

decry

insult

put down

traduce

drag through the mud

abuse

disparage

gossip

injure

caluminate

libel

castigate

miscall

mock

find fault with

ridicule

blast

besmirch

smear

stigmatize

subdue

sully

swear

criticize severely

belittle

cuss

backbite

curse

defile

criticize

deride

Translations

schimpfen

schlechtmachen

verleumden

schlechtreden

ankotzen

traduire

calomnier

diffamer

médire

kwaadspreken

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbæd.maʊθ/

Etymology

Calque of a Mande term, perhaps Vai [Term?] or Mandinka [Term?], which entered English via Gullah [Term?]. Compare Japanese 悪口(わるぐち) (waruguchi, “badmouthing”), which is a compound of 悪(わる) (waru, “bad, wicked”) and 口(くち) (kuchi, “mouth”).