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

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

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

The first minister said that he and "so many people of colour have been traduced and vilified merely for raising concerns about how some of these debates have been handled".

From BBC

He accused senators investigating the UN Oil-for-Food programme of being "cavalier" with justice, saying they had "traduced" his name.

From BBC

“The government will in no way traduce or criticize the work of the committee who are doing exactly what Parliament has asked them to do.”

From Washington Times

Ms Forbes says she does not know if seeing a public figure like her being "absolutely traduced" for her views has made them braver or more fearful.

From BBC

It’s difficult, she acknowledges, for women “to achieve self-worth” when they have been so often “diminished, traduced, silenced by history.”

From Washington Post