calumny

/ˈkæləmni/

Other forms: calumnies

Use the noun calumny to characterize verbal attacks that are meant to destroy reputations or friendships. You've probably seen political ads during election time that rely on calumny to move voters.

Calumny comes from the Latin word calvi, meaning "to trick, deceive," which is why it can also describe falsely accusing someone or quoting them out of context with the intent to do them harm. Some political candidates use this tactic against opponents in the hope that voters will be tricked into thinking that the accusations are true.

Definitions of calumny

1. noun

   a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
   synonyms: calumniation, defamation, hatchet job, obloquy, traducement

   types:

   assassination, blackwash, character assassination

   an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation

   malignment, smear, vilification

   slanderous defamation

   libel

   a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person

   slander

   words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another

   name calling, names

   verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

   epithet, name

   a defamatory or abusive word or phrase

   mud

   slanderous remarks or charges

   smear word

   an epithet that can be used to smear someone's reputation

   type of:

   depreciation, derogation, disparagement

   a communication that belittles somebody or something
2. noun

   an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
   synonyms: aspersion, defamation, denigration, slander

   type of:

   attack

   strong criticism