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calumniator

calumniator

9.9
A person who lies about someone to harm their reputation
  • noun
  • /kəˈlʌmniˌeɪtər/
  • Formal
translation icon : calumniador
  • Nobody believed the calumniator's accusations after they were proven to be false.

Examples

  • Incontestable traitors, plotters against state security, torturers, calumniators responsible for the deaths of a number of good people, dishonored characters who have to disappear from public life if public life is to be possible on French soil... an enormous mass of Frenchmen.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The calumniator spread false rumors about her to ruin her career.

  • Listen, you slimy little calumniator.

  • Emphasizing that the United States was the only legitimate government because it alone relied on "the will and choice of the people," he warned that the republic could not survive if "forward and wicked" calumniators went unpunished.

    Academic text (2016)
  • As a calumniator, he often made up lies to damage the reputations of others.

Synonyms

slanderer
vscalumniator
1 7.3

A person who says false things about someone to harm them

intends to harm reputation by making false and damaging statements
mudslinger
vscalumniator
  • Offensive
1 8.5

A person who spreads nasty stories about others to harm them, often in politics

requires making false statements specifically to harm reputation rather than seeking political gain
defamer
vscalumniator
  • Formal
1 8.8

A person who says false things to harm someone's reputation

focuses on deliberate intent to harm rather than only the damage caused
traducer
vscalumniator
  • Formal
9.9

A person who tells lies about someone to harm their good name

covers false and damaging statements in any form rather than only speech
libeler
vscalumniator
  • Formal
9.0

A person who writes false things about someone to harm their reputation

applies to false damaging statements in any form not just written ones
libelant
vscalumniator
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who writes or publishes false, harmful statements about someone

covers false damaging statements in any medium rather than only composed or published
maligner
vscalumniator
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who says false things to damage someone's reputation

requires making false damaging statements specifically to harm reputation rather than general criticism
vilifier
vscalumniator
9.3

A person who says or writes false, hurtful things about someone

focuses on false statements meant to harm reputation rather than harsh tone

Antonyms

252 2.8

A person who protects someone or something from harm

How Defamatory

vilifier
9.3
calumniator
  • Formal
9.9
defamer
  • Formal
1 8.8
slanderer
1 7.3
accuser
93 3.5

Surface Forms

calumniator singular
calumniators plural

Morphology

calumniator = calumniate (semi-transparent) = calumni + ator

If a learner knows the verb 'calumniate', the noun means straightforwardly 'a person who calumniates'.

Etymology

Calumniator comes from the old Latin word calumnia, meaning 'false charge' or 'trick', and it is the source of the English word calumny, which means a damaging lie. So, a calumniator is someone who makes false, harmful statements about another person to hurt their reputation.