calumniate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of calumniate
1545–55; < Latin calumniātus (past participle of calumniārī to accuse falsely, trick), equivalent to calumni ( a ) calumny + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing calumniate
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"The Wife of Bath's Tale," Vocabulary from the narrative poem
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"The Wife of Bath's Tale" by Geoffrey Chaucer
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Crucify, Castigate and, yes, even if necessary, Calumniate The Process.
From Washington Post • Apr. 14, 2019
Shameless calumniators Calumniate like mad; Detractors keep detracting; It really is too bad; It really is too bad.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 159, December 8, 1920 by Seaman, Owen, Sir
The old saying, "Calumniate, calumniate, something will always remain after it," was never truer than in the case of this eminent statesman.
From Cecil Rhodes Man and Empire-Maker by Radziwill, Catherine, Princess
Calumniate, vilify, depreciate as they will, here I stand, with my foot on the first step of the peerage.
From Davenport Dunn, Volume 2 (of 2) A Man Of Our Day by Lever, Charles James
The slogan of unrighteousness is: "Calumniate, calumniate, some of it will stick!"
From Explanation of Catholic Morals A Concise, Reasoned, and Popular Exposition of Catholic Morals by Stapleton, John H. (John Henry)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
