Merriam-Webster Logo
  • Dictionary
  • Thesaurus
  • Scrabble
  • Spanish Central
  • Learner's Dictionary


verb ca·lum·ni·ate \kə-ˈləm-nē-ˌāt\

Definition of calumniate



  1. transitive verb
  2. 1 :  to utter maliciously false statements, charges, or imputations about

  3. 2 :  to injure the reputation of by calumny


play \-ˌləm-nē-ˈā-shən\ noun


play \-ˈləm-nē-ˌā-tər\ noun

Examples of calumniate in a sentence

  1. <the short-lived Sedition Act of 1798 made it illegal to calumniate the President of the United States>


First Known Use of calumniate


Synonym Discussion of calumniate

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying <the most maligned monarch in British history>. traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim <so traduced the governor that he was driven from office>. asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction <both candidates aspersed the other's motives>. vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse <no criminal was more vilified in the press>. calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions <falsely calumniated as a traitor>. defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name <sued them for defaming her reputation>. slander stresses the suffering of the victim <town gossips slandered their good name>.

Rhymes with calumniate


Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up calumniate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


to criticize in a loud and angry way

Get Word of the Day daily email!


Take a 3-minute break and test your skills!


Which is a synonym of indolent?

frenetic lazy melancholy philistine
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

