Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of spreading malicious gossip or rumors, especially about the private lives of others: "scandalmongering" refers to the behavior of someone who actively collects and circulates scandalous stories, often with the intent to harm reputations or create sensational interest.

2. Adjective:

   • Characteristic of or engaging in the spreading of scandalous gossip: When used as an adjective, "scandalmongering" describes actions, publications, or individuals that are involved in or typical of this kind of rumor-spreading.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The politician accused the newspaper of pure scandalmongering, not journalism.
  • The celebrity's lawsuit aimed to put an end to the relentless scandalmongering about her family.

• Adjective:

  • The article was dismissed as a scandalmongering piece of fiction.
  • He was known as a scandalmongering columnist who traded in rumors.

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies a lack of concern for truth or the damage caused, focusing instead on creating a sensational story.
• It is frequently used in critiques of certain types of media, particularly tabloid journalism.

Variants and Related Words

• Scandalmonger (noun): A person who spreads scandalous gossip.
  • The reporter was labeled a scandalmonger by his critics.

Synonyms

• Noun: Gossip-mongering, rumor-mongering, muckraking (though muckraking can have a more investigative connotation), character assassination.
• Adjective: Sensationalist, gossipy, muckraking.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• While not a phrasal verb, the concept is related to idioms like "spreading tales" or "peddling gossip."
  • He's more interested in peddling gossip than reporting facts.

Adjective

1. typical of tabloids
   • sensational journalistic reportage of the scandal
   • yellow press

Noun

1. spreading malicious gossip