traduce

[ truh-doos, -dyoos ]

verb (used with object)

, tra·duced, tra·duc·ing.

1. to speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame:

   to traduce someone's character.

   Synonyms: disparage, decry, vilify

   Antonyms: praise

traduce

/ trəˈdjuːs /

verb

1. tr to speak badly of

Derived Forms

• traˈducement, noun
• traˈducer, noun
• traˈducible, adjective

Other Words From

• tra·ducement noun
• tra·ducer noun
• tra·ducing·ly adverb
• untra·duced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of traduce¹

1525–35; < Latin trādūcere, variant of trānsdūcere to transfer, display, expose, equivalent to trāns- trans- + dūcere to lead

Word History and Origins

Origin of traduce¹

C16: from Latin trādūcere to lead over, transmit, disgrace, from trans- + dūcere to lead

Example Sentences

Traduce him, delegitimize him—and slow economic recovery in hopes that voters will cast a protest vote for the GOP.

From The Daily Beast

The m.o. is the same: the first and main thing is to traduce and offend liberal sensibility.

From The Daily Beast

Believing that Fitton would traduce him, he sent an agent to England to enter a cross case.

From Project Gutenberg

Let anyone traduce Mrs. Gorman, and Dan was bristling all over like an indignant porcupine.

From Project Gutenberg

"I do not stand on ceremony with those who traduce my friends," retorted the Southerner sneeringly.

From Project Gutenberg

Blacken my name, traduce my motives,—let her believe them levity or perfidy, what you will.

From Project Gutenberg

And this is the law of God, whom you pretend to worship, while you denounce and traduce us for respecting it.

From Project Gutenberg