slander

Noun

A false or unsupported, malicious statement (spoken, not written), especially one which is injurious to a person's reputation; the making of such a statement.

Verb

To utter a slanderous statement about; baselessly speak ill of; to wrong.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈslɑːndə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: slaundre

In summary

From Middle English slaundre, sclaundre, from Old French esclandre, from Ecclesiastical Latin scandalum (“stumbling block, temptation”), from Ancient Greek σκάνδαλον (skándalon, “scandal”). Doublet of scandal.

Synonyms

defame

calumny

libel

calumniate

defamation

malign

vilify

denigrate

abuse

backbiting

aspersion

backbite

gossip

smear

vilification

denigration

scandal

insult

asperse

calumniation

reproach

blame

traduce

false charge

condemn

slur

blaspheme

rumour

badmouth

revile

speak ill of

evil speaking

frame

curse

speak evil of

censure

affront

caluminate

false accusation

besmirch

accusation

detraction

accuse falsely

ridicule

ruin

buzz

report

persecute

inform

blacken

Translations

calomnier

Verleumdung

verleumden

calomnie

calunniare

calumniar

calunnia

belasteren

diffamation

diffamer

kwaadspreken

diffamare

difamar

roddelen

diffamazione