calumny

[kal-uhm-nee]

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

calumny

/ ˈkæləmnɪ /

noun

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

2. such a false charge or misrepresentation

Confusables Note

See slander.

Word History and Origins

Origin of calumny¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of calumny¹

C15: from Latin calumnia deception, slander

Example Sentences

Mr. Vance failed to correct either of these calumnies, but his improvised reply seemed to suggest that it was possible for Israel to “control the President of the United States.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In his address Tuesday to Congress, Trump repeated his charge that Mexico is completely under the sway of organized crime — an assertion that Sheinbaum has repeatedly refuted as a calumny.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That brings us to the other calumnies Vance and Trump have directed at the Haitians in Springfield.

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Sen. JD Vance, a Republican from Ohio and Trump's vice presidential nominee, made the rounds of the Sunday shows and doubled down on the calumny.

Read more on Salon

Eastman portrays himself as a battling patriot who has been subjected to “false narratives and calumnies.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times