smearing

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation this smearing has got to stop, or the voters will conclude that there's absolutely no one worth voting for Synonyms aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling (or libelling), maligning, slander, 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