calumny
Americannoun
-
a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something.
The speech was considered a calumny of the administration.
-
the act of uttering calumnies; slander; defamation.
- Synonyms:
- derogation, vilification
noun
-
the malicious utterance of false charges or misrepresentation; slander; defamation
-
such a false charge or misrepresentation
Commonly Confused
See slander.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of calumny
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin calumnia, equivalent to calumn-, perhaps originally a participle of calvī “to deceive” + -ia -y 3 )
Explanation
Use the noun calumny to characterize verbal attacks that are meant to destroy reputations or friendships. You've probably seen political ads during election time that rely on calumny to move voters. Calumny comes from the Latin word calvi, meaning "to trick, deceive," which is why it can also describe falsely accusing someone or quoting them out of context with the intent to do them harm. Some political candidates use this tactic against opponents in the hope that voters will be tricked into thinking that the accusations are true.
Vocabulary lists containing calumny
The Crucible
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300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
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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.
Months later, the Vatican accuses Vigano of calumny.
From Reuters • Mar. 10, 2023
And Jones spreads his disgusting calumny to attract an audience so that he can make a fortune by hooking them on the snake oil supplements he sells on his show.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2022
Why would Prager presume calumny and conspiracy in the agency’s motives?
From Slate • Nov. 8, 2021
Some people feel that I am a food snob, but that is calumny.
From Washington Post • Aug. 12, 2021
Yes, the presidency was a thankless job, “a most unpleasant seat, full of thorns, briars, thistles, murmuring, fault-finding, calumny, obloquy.”
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
