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calumniate

verb ca·lum·ni·ate \ kə-ˈləm-nē-ˌāt \

Definition of calumniate

calumniated; calumniating
transitive verb
1 : to utter maliciously false statements, charges, or imputations about
2 : to injure the reputation of by calumny
—

calumniation

play \-ˌləm-nē-ˈā-shən\ noun
—

calumniator

play \-ˈləm-nē-ˌā-tər\ noun

Examples of calumniate in a Sentence

  1. the short-lived Sedition Act of 1798 made it illegal to calumniate the President of the United States

First Known Use of calumniate

1554

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
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Synonym Discussion of calumniate

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.
    • the most maligned monarch in British history
traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.
    • so traduced the governor that he was driven from office
asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.
    • both candidates aspersed the other's motives
vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.
    • no criminal was more vilified in the press
calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.
    • falsely calumniated as a traitor
defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.
    • sued them for defaming her reputation
slander stresses the suffering of the victim.
    • town gossips slandered their good name

Learn More about calumniate

  1. See words that rhyme with calumniate Spanish Central: Translation of calumniate Nglish: Translation of calumniate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of calumniate for Arabic speakers

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