ill-spoken

A kind neighbor is unfairly ill-spoken by a gossip.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Spoken of unfavorably: "ill-spoken" describes someone who is the subject of critical or derogatory remarks; having a bad reputation due to negative talk.
   • Not well-spoken: In rare usage, it can also mean speaking in a rude, coarse, or offensive manner, though this is less common.

Usage Examples

• (The politician was spoken of unfavorably by the public.)
• (She was the target of negative comments from coworkers.)
• (His rude or coarse speech caused offense.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be ill-spoken of": to be criticized or spoken about negatively.

  • The author was ill-spoken of in literary circles for his controversial views. (He was criticized by peers.)

• "ill-spoken reputation": a reputation damaged by unfavorable talk.

  • The company’s ill-spoken reputation deterred new investors. (Negative talk harmed the company's image.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ill-spokenness (n): the state or quality of being spoken of unfavorably.

  • The ill-spokenness of the proposal led to its rejection. (The negative talk about the proposal caused its failure.)

• Well-spoken (adj): spoken of favorably; also meaning articulate and polite in speech.

  • She is well-spoken and admired by her peers. (She is praised and speaks eloquently.)

Synonyms

• Maligned: spoken of in a harmful, false, or spiteful way.
• Slandered: subjected to false and damaging statements.
• Defamed: having one's reputation harmed by false statements.

Related Idioms

• Speak ill of: to say negative things about someone.

  • It is unkind to speak ill of the dead. (Avoid criticizing those who have passed away.)

• Ill repute: a bad reputation.

  • The establishment fell into ill repute after the incident. (It gained a negative reputation.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Speak ill of: (intransitive) to criticize or disparage.
  • They spoke ill of him behind his back. (They criticized him secretly.)