bad-mouth

verb

ˈbad-ˌmau̇th How to pronounce bad-mouth (audio)
Definition of bad-mouthnext
as in to dismiss
to express scornfully one's low opinion of she promptly bad-mouthed that awful movie to everyone she knew

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bad-mouth Ranting on LinkedIn and bad-mouthing your ex-employer or naming and shaming your last negative recruitment experience won’t help you either. — Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 This was a departure from Mourinho and Conte, who both moaned about investment, attacked the club culture, exited unceremoniously, and bad-mouthed them afterward. — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 Leading up to the premiere of It Ends With Us last year, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni reached an uneasy truce in which it was agreed that neither side would bad-mouth the other to the press. — Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025 The neighbor's negative response—bad-mouthing OP to others—reflects an entitlement mindset, Sprowl noted. — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bad-mouth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bad-mouth
  1. dismiss
  2. minimize
  3. criticize
  4. diminish
  5. disparage
  6. denigrate
  7. belittle
Verb
  • The case had not gone to trial yet, and the charges were dismissed Wednesday as a result of his death, records show.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • He was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury, but the second charge was later dismissed after the substances tested for were not found to be present in his blood, the statement at the time read.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Doctors are emphasizing the importance of minimizing your time in the smoke as much as possible.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Franchisors, franchisees, distributors, and food manufacturers increasingly rely upon rigorous supplier audits, product testing, traceability technology, and crisis response protocols to minimize both operational disruption and public health risks.
    — Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • The rivalry between New York and Florida — and California and Florida, too — has also become heated as the wealthy have publicly criticized blue states and announced their decisions to relocate.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The bodycam video also sparked reaction online, with several conservative accounts criticizing Hostin for invoking her legal background during the encounter.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • None of these concerns diminish the strength of the Jersey Mike’s brand.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • At 28 years old, clubs will also factor in his diminishing resale value.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • The judge also reiterated an earlier order for neither Mortensen nor Taylor to make disparaging remarks about the other on social media.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Any athlete chatting with a fan in disparaging ways about another player shows questionable judgment.
    — Jason Jones, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of disparage
Verb
  • In 2018, the court unequivocally repudiated its wartime decision that denigrated Japanese Americans.
    — Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
  • Butler was one of several key women in the history of environmental restoration who took advantage of the fact that botany was not entirely restricted to men—though this also meant that it was denigrated as a feminine pastime.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of denigrate
Verb
  • Lestat is treated as unworthy of Akasha’s (Sheila Atim) blood and his choice to turn Louis is belittled by the table because Louis was a pimp.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The women on that team didn’t ask to be the butt of a locker room joke, belittled by the President of the United States, no less.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of belittle

Browse Nearby Words

badly
bad-mouth
bad-mouthed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bad-mouth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bad-mouth. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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