calumniate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
I am well aware that it is a locality where he enjoys little popularity himself; but at least he need not calumniate its people.
From The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. I (of II) by Lever, Charles James
The Magian went to Cambyses to calumniate his brother, saying that his mind was set on evil.
From The History of Antiquity Vol. VI. (vol. VI. of VI.) by Duncker, Max
Men of courage don't fall sick because the newspapers calumniate them.
From Barrington Volume II (of II) by Lever, Charles James
But he must not calumniate as he passes.
From From the Easy Chair, series 2 by Curtis, George William
I do not calumniate her, when I say that she had no character, and the most limited ideas.
From Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. I (of 2) by Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von
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.
