calumny

American  

[kal-uhm-nee] / ˈkæl əm ni /

noun

plural

calumnies

1. a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something.

   The speech was considered a calumny of the administration.

2. the act of uttering calumnies; slander; defamation.

   Synonyms:

   derogation, vilification

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calumny British  

/ ˈkæləmnɪ /

noun

1. the malicious utterance of false charges or misrepresentation; slander; defamation

2. such a false charge or misrepresentation

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Commonly Confused

See slander.

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.

Example Sentences

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

Rhetorical flourish is par for the course in these speeches, but no previous convention in modern times has seen such endless regurgitation of pure calumny.

From Slate • Aug. 28, 2020

Miller has waved off that claim as calumny, even though Richardson served as Miller’s faithful No. 2 for more than a decade at Xavier and Arizona.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2020

Jefferson was guilty of “the blackest calumny and foulest falsehoods” during that bitter campaign.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis