calumniation

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation his campaign's reliance on calumniation seems out of keeping with his claim that he's a new kind of politician Synonyms aspersing, blackening, slander, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling (or libelling), maligning, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifyingRelated Words aspersion, innuendo, muck, mud, smear; backbiting, detraction; abuse, invective, vituperation; attack, censure, criticism, denunciation, hatchet job; contempt, disdain, scorn; belittlement, denigration, disparagement; cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousnessNear Antonyms acclaim, accolade, applause, commendation, praise; esteem, honor, respect; adulation, flattery; adoration, reverence, veneration, worship