calumniate

/kəˌlʌmniˈeɪt/

Other forms: calumniated; calumniating; calumniates

To calumniate is to make a false accusation against someone or spread lies about how awful they are. Don’t calumniate your rival in the race for class president, because when the truth comes out, you’ll be the bad guy.

The courts would say to calumniate is to slander. Everyone else would just say it’s mean. Calumniate is just a fancier way of saying “lie” — but specifically lying to tarnish someone's reputation. If your sister says you purposely broke a vase and you didn't, she calumniates you. If you get in trouble in class, you could calumniate to the principal about your teacher being a wretched mess — but the other students might speak up and prove you wrong.

Definitions of calumniate

1. verb

   charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
   synonyms: asperse, besmirch, defame, denigrate, slander, smear, smirch, sully

   types:

   assassinate

   destroy or damage seriously, as of someone's reputation

   libel

   print slanderous statements against

   badmouth, drag through the mud, malign, traduce

   speak unfavorably about

   type of:

   accuse, charge

   blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against