kompromat

[ kom-pruh-mat ]

noun

, Russian.

1. compromising and incriminating material that is sometimes forged or fabricated, used to sabotage or discredit a political opponent or public figure:

   Kompromat can destabilize the political process and undermine trust in governments and institutions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kompromat¹

First recorded in 1990–95; short for kompro(metiruyushchiy) mat(erial), literally, “compromising material”