calumniate

[kuh-luhm-nee-eyt]

See more synonyms for calumniate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ca·lum·ni·at·ed, ca·lum·ni·at·ing.

to make false and malicious statements about; slander.

Origin of calumniate

1545–55; < Latin calumniātus (past participle of calumniārī to accuse falsely, trick), equivalent to calumni(a) calumny + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsca·lum·ni·a·tion, nounca·lum·ni·a·tor, nounnon·ca·lum·ni·at·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for calumniate

revile, scandalize, slur, smear, blacken, malign, asperse, slander, blaspheme, accuse, libel, vilify

Examples from the Web for calumniate

Historical Examples of calumniate

"I can assure you, sir, they who say so calumniate him," was the calm reply.
Diary And Notes Of Horace Templeton, Esq.
Charles James Lever
"Do not calumniate yourself, sir," replied the Pre Longuemare.
The Gods are Athirst
Anatole France
I do not speak of those who calumniate art because they have never been favored by it.
The Aesthetical Essays
Friedrich Schiller
But why do I calumniate my own spirit by saying I would rather?
Letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. I (of 2)
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
He no longer allowed any one to calumniate and attack me in his presence; he had a just confidence in me; he always took my part.
The Correspondence of Madame, Princess Palatine, Mother of the Regent; of Marie-Adlade de Savoie, Duchesse de Bourgogne; and of Madame de Maintenon, in Relation to Saint-Cyr
Charlotte-Elisabeth, duchesse d Orlans; Marie Adelaide, of Savoy, Duchess of Burgundy; and Madame de Maintenon

British Dictionary definitions for calumniate

calumniate

verb

(tr) to slander

Derived Formscalumniable, adjectivecalumniation, nouncalumniator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for calumniate

1550s, from Latin calumniatus, past participle of calumniari "to accuse falsely," from calumnia "slander, false accusation" (see calumny). Related: Calumniated; calumniating.