noun

calumny

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Calumny (noun) means a false claim made to damage someone's good name.

noun

A false claim made to damage someone's good name.

Lies or distortions spread to belittle or discredit someone.

"Accusations of abuse were pure extortive calumny in a malicious bid to make money."

"Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, was a victim of calumny. And calumny is worse than a sin; calumny is a direct expression of Satan." — Pope Francis, Martyrs of the Church (2015)

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

From Late Middle English calumnīe (“false accusation, slander; (law) objection raised in bad faith”), borrowed from Old French calomnie (“slander, calumny”) (modern French calomnie), or directly from its etymon Latin calumnia (“false statement, misrepresentation; false accusation, malicious charge”), perhaps also related to calvor (“to deceive”). The English word is a doublet of challenge. The verb is derived from French calomnier (“to slander”), from Late Latin calumniāre, from Latin calumpniārī, calumniārī (“to blame unjustly, misrepresent, calumniate; (law) to accuse falsely, bring false information against”), from calumnia (see above) + -or.

Synonyms

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aspersion defamation calumniation traducement obloquy slander denigration

Antonyms

eulogy panegyric

Related words

shame tribute smear libel defamation slander aspersion calumniation

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of calumny?

"calumny" (noun) means a false claim made to damage someone's good name.

What is another word for calumny?

Other words for "calumny" include aspersion, defamation, calumniation, traducement, obloquy, slander.

What is the opposite of calumny?

Opposites of "calumny" include eulogy, panegyric.

What are the different meanings of calumny?

"calumny" has 2 main meanings: 1. A false claim made to damage someone's good name; 2. Lies or distortions spread to belittle or discredit someone.

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shame tribute smear libel defamation slander aspersion calumniation