calumniate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- calumniable adjective
- calumniation noun
- calumniator noun
- noncalumniating adjective
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
Quiz yourself on these words spoken by the man at the center of the "Laurel" / "Yanny" craze!
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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 knew what I was saying when I spoke to him as I did, for a man who does not hesitate to calumniate an unprotected woman has no sense of honour!"
From Too Rich A Romance by Streckfuss, Adolph
"You are my father's friend, and you calumniate him!"
From Garrick's Pupil by Filon, Auguston
He speaks to calumniate thinkers, and to warn the faithful against the discoveries of science.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Discussions by Ingersoll, Robert Green
Figuratively, of persons and things not religiously sacred, but held in high honor: To calumniate; to revile; to abuse.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah
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
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.
