malicious gossip

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malicious gossip

A neighbor spreads malicious gossip over the garden fence.

Definition

Noun: - Disgraceful talk about the private lives of other people: "Malicious gossip" refers to the act of spreading unkind, harmful, or scandalous information, often of a personal or private nature, about other people. The information may be true, exaggerated, or false, and the primary intent is to damage someone's reputation or social standing.

Usage
  • "Malicious gossip" is used as a non-count noun to describe the general activity or content of such talk.
  • It often implies a mean-spirited or spiteful motive behind the sharing of information.
Examples
Advanced Usage
  • "To be the subject of malicious gossip": to be the person that harmful rumors are about.
    • After the scandal, she found herself the subject of malicious gossip.
  • "A piece of malicious gossip": used to refer to a specific instance or item of such talk (though "malicious gossip" is generally non-count).
    • He dismissed the story as just another piece of malicious gossip.
Variants and Related Words
  • Gossip (n/v): Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, which may or may not be malicious.
  • Rumor (n): A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
  • Slander (n): The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
  • Tittle-tattle (n): Idle gossip or chatter.
Synonyms
  • Scandal-mongering: spreading malicious rumors or gossip.
  • Backbiting: malicious talk about someone who is not present.
  • Character assassination: a deliberate and vicious attempt to destroy someone's reputation.
Related Phrases
  • To spread malicious gossip: to be the one telling the harmful stories.
    • She was accused of spreading malicious gossip about her colleagues.
  • Fuel for malicious gossip: information or events that encourage such talk.
    • Their public argument became fuel for malicious gossip.
Related Idioms
  • A whispering campaign: a systematic spreading of disparaging rumors or gossip, especially in politics.
    • The candidate was targeted by a vicious whispering campaign.
malicious gossip

A neighbor spreads malicious gossip over the garden fence.

Noun
  1. disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people

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