backbite

[ bak-bahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, back·bit, back·bit·ten or (Informal) back·bit; back·bit·ing.

1. to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).

   Synonyms: defame, libel, slander, deprecate, disparage, belittle

verb (used without object)

, back·bit, back·bit·ten or (Informal) back·bit; back·bit·ing.

1. to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.

backbite

/ ˈbækˌbaɪt /

verb

1. to talk spitefully about (an absent person)

Derived Forms

• ˈbackˌbiter, noun

Other Words From

• backbiter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backbite¹

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; back ¹, bite

Example Sentences

Characters backbite, bellyache, reluctantly pitch in and commit mundane acts of heroism in a largely believable manner, and there’s blessedly little inspirational speechmaking.

From New York Times

"It is very disappointing... all of this backbite going on about a virus we’re still learning about which is very humbling," Siegel told "Fox & Friends Weekend" host Jedediah Bila.

From Fox News

A hotbed of scheming vipers, Versailles is really a gilded prison for the titled gentry who have nothing better to do than gossip, backbite and fornicate.

From New York Times

He said that people were using Twitter to "promote lies, backbite and gossip and to slander Islam".

From BBC

He said users were using Twitter to "promote lies, backbite and gossip and to slander Islam".

From BBC