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calumniation

calumniation

9.9
Telling lies about someone to harm what people think of them
  • noun
  • /kəˌlʌm.nɪˈeɪ.ʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : calumniación
  • The calumniation of the politician was widely reported in the media.

Examples

  • The newspaper was sued for its calumniation of the politician’s character.

  • Acts of calumniation can irreparably harm both personal and professional reputations.

  • He suffered greatly from public calumniation despite his innocence.

  • She faced calumniation from her rivals after the competition.

  • The lawyer argued that the published article was a clear act of calumniation that harmed his client's reputation.

  • Her repeated calumniation of his character made it difficult for others to trust him.

  • The politician faced a lawsuit for calumniation after spreading false rumors about his opponent.

Synonyms

smear
vscalumniation
49 5.7

A false or unfair statement meant to hurt someone's reputation

is the broader act of making false malicious statements rather than one remark
slander
vscalumniation
  • Specialized
44 6.6

A false spoken statement that damages someone's reputation

is not limited to speech and covers any false damaging statements
defamation
vscalumniation
  • Formal
40 7.1

To harm someone's reputation by saying untrue things about them in public

is the same idea focused on deliberate reputation damage by false speech
smear campaign
vscalumniation
16 5.5

An organized effort to hurt someone's reputation by making false or unfair accusations

is the same damaging behavior but not necessarily an organized ongoing effort
character assassination
vscalumniation
  • Literature
15 7.3

Hurts someone's reputation on purpose by spreading false or harmful stories

is the same harm but can be a single act rather than a sustained deliberate attack
aspersion
vscalumniation
11 9.8

A remark that says bad things about someone to hurt their reputation

is the same idea but emphasizes false malicious statements rather than simple insult
mudslinging
vscalumniation
  • Literature
9 4.8

Making unfair personal attacks to damage someone's reputation in politics

is the same harmful falsity but not tied to political contexts
vilification
vscalumniation
  • Formal
6 8.4

Saying or writing very harsh and unfair things about someone to damage their reputation

is the same reputation harm but not necessarily so harsh or abusive in tone
hatchet job
vscalumniation
  • Literature
5 8.4

A written or spoken attack that unfairly hurts someone's reputation

is the same harm but applies to single false remarks not long unfair reports
denigration
vscalumniation
  • Offensive
5 8.4

Unfair criticism that makes someone or their work seem bad

is the specific act of harming by false malicious statements rather than general criticism
calumny
vscalumniation
  • Formal
4 9.3

A false statement that damages someone's reputation

is the same term but used mainly for the act rather than a single remark
malicious gossip
vscalumniation
1 7.3

Rumours that try to hurt someone's reputation by spreading private facts

is specifically false and malicious statements rather than spreading private facts
traducement
vscalumniation
  • Archaic
9.9

A false statement that harms someone's reputation

is the general act rather than the single damaging claim
malignment
vscalumniation
  • Archaic
9.9

Harmful false statements about someone that damage their reputation

is the same harmful action described by the key term
blackwash
vscalumniation
9.9

An attempt to damage someone's reputation by making false claims

is the same harmful act but described as an intentional campaign or attempt
besmirchment
vscalumniation
  • Formal
9.0

Damage to a person's good name by saying untrue things

is about false malicious statements not the literal act of soiling objects

Antonyms

defense
  • US
460 1.4

Protection from attack, danger, harm, or illness

29 7.4

Proof that shows someone was right or not to blame after people doubted them

How Defamatory

vilification
  • Formal
6 8.4
calumniation
  • Formal
9.9
to smear
55 6.1
slander
  • Specialized
44 6.6
accusation
394 3.1
allegation
  • Literature
579 4.8

Surface Forms

calumniation singular
calumniations plural

Morphology

calumniation = calumniate (transparent) = calumniat + ation

Formed regularly from the verb 'calumniate' with the nominalizing suffix '-ation', meaning 'the act or process of calumniating' is a direct derivation.

Etymology

Calumniation comes from the old Latin word calumnia, which meant 'false accusation' or 'slander'. So, calumniation is the act of making false and harmful statements to damage someone's reputation.