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. 2019

Related Words for calumniator

murderer, spy, terrorist, competitor, rival, guerrilla, agent, detractor, bandit, foe, villain, traitor, rebel, opposition, invader, criminal, adversary, antagonist, opponent, prosecutor

Examples from the Web for calumniator

Historical Examples of calumniator

Acting in the capacity of calumniator, he seeks out and defames the innocent.
Is the Devil a Myth?
C. F. Wimberly
The calumniator, Martin Gonzalez, was punished where he had most sinned.
The Cid Campeador
Antonio de Trueba
An honest drunkard is better than a calumniator of the dead.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 5 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
But I denounce him as a calumniator of my country; a maligner of this nation.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 9 (of 12)
Robert G. Ingersoll
The preacher was denounced as seditious, and as a calumniator of light and reason.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921
Thomas J. Campbell

British Dictionary definitions for calumniator

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 calumniator

1690s, from Latin calumniator, agent noun from calumniari (see calumniate (v.)).

calumniate

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