calumniate — to make false and defamatory statements about someone; to slander
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to make false and defamatory statements about someone; to slander
Pronunciation (IPA): /kəˈlʌmniˌeɪt/
Example Sentences
- The tabloid journalist was sued for calumniating the celebrity with fabricated scandals.
- She refused to calumniate her ex-boss despite their bitter disagreement.
- The rival chef tried to calumniate my cooking skills, claiming I use instant noodles in my signature dish.
calumniate
VERB[/kəˈlʌmniˌeɪt/]
to make false and defamatory statements about someone; to slander

a scheming employee whispers malicious lies about a coworker to other office workers gathered around. The gossiper points toward an innocent colleague working quietly at their desk in the background. The targeted employee remains unaware while false rumors spread like wildfire through the group. Other workers lean in with shocked expressions as they hear the fabricated stories. The innocent victim's reputation gets damaged by these deliberate lies. someone making false and defamatory statements to harm another person's character
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'calumniari' meaning 'to accuse falsely,' derived from 'calumnia' (false accusation). In ancient Roman courts, this referred to the practice of making slanderous statements to damage someone's reputation.
Breakdown
calumn- (false accusation) + -iate (verb suffix meaning 'to cause' or 'to make')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The tabloid journalist was sued for calumniating the celebrity with fabricated scandals.”
“She refused to calumniate her ex-boss despite their bitter disagreement.”
“The rival chef tried to calumniate my cooking skills, claiming I use instant noodles in my signature dish.”
“Online trolls often calumniate public figures with anonymous posts.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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