Definition

1. Noun:
   • A false and malicious statement designed to damage someone's reputation: "calumny" refers to the act of making false and defamatory statements about someone with the intent to harm their good name.
   • The act of making such statements: It can also refer to the general practice or instance of slandering someone.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The politician sued the newspaper for calumny after it published lies about his past.
  • Spreading calumny is a destructive and cowardly act.
  • She was a victim of vicious calumny that cost her many friends.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Legal Context: In historical and some legal contexts, "calumny" is a formal term for defamation, specifically through spoken (slander) or written (libel) falsehoods.
  • The case was built on calumny and hearsay, not on facts.
• Literary/Formal Tone: The word is more common in formal, literary, or historical writing than in everyday conversation, where "slander" or "defamation" might be used.
  • The memoir detailed the calumnies he endured throughout his career.

Variants and Related Words

• Calumniate (verb): To make false and malicious statements about; to slander.
  • He was known to calumniate his rivals.
• Calumnious (adjective): Characterized by or containing calumny; slanderous.
  • The article was filled with calumnious allegations.

Synonyms

• Slander: A false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
• Defamation: The act of damaging the good reputation of someone through false statements.
• Aspersion: An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something.
• Vilification: Abusively disparaging speech or writing.

Antonyms

• Praise: Expression of warm approval or admiration.
• Acclaim: Enthusiastic and public praise.
• Commendation: Formal or official praise.

Idioms and Phrases

• "A web of calumny": A complex series of interconnected lies and slanders.
  • The conspiracy theorist spun a vast web of calumny.
• "Victim of calumny": A common phrase describing someone who has been slandered.
  • He spent years clearing his name after being a victim of calumny.

Noun

1. an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
2. a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions