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calomnier

to slander, defame

verb kah-lom-NYEH Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: Latin calumnia (false accusation)

Usage Note

Calomnier means to make false and damaging statements about someone. The noun calomnie (slander) is common in legal and literary registers. A well-known French proverb runs: Calomniez, calomniez, il en restera toujours quelque chose — 'Slander away; something will always stick.'

Examples

"Il a été accusé de calomnier ses rivaux."

Natural Translation

He was accused of slandering his rivals.

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