CALUMNY Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

calumny

noun

ˈka-ləm-nē

Definition of calumny

as in libel

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation a blogger whose site is little more than a foulmouthed forum for calumny and rumormongering

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of calumny Pratt was just another angry New Yorker hectoring calumnies against all forms of authority. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026 The declaration also highlights the need to report facts, not suppress or falsify information, and avoid discrimination, bribery, and calumny. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026 Shapiro released a special 41-minute episode of his podcast detailing Fuentes’s career of calumnies against Black people, Indian Americans, Jews, and women—and called out Carlson’s refusal to confront the young white supremacist about any of it. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026 This egregious calumny is not, however, attributable solely to the disease of the soul that translates into Republicanism according to Biden. — The Editors, National Review, 22 May 2024 Within Israel, though, the ICJ case is seen by most as a calumny that only proves antisemitism’s enduring nature. — Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calumny

Noun

The media’s coverage of the couple was at times critical, and in 2008 the McCanns reached settlements in libel cases brought against British tabloids that alleged they were involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.

— Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
The libel continued this week when, after years and years of Ryan Murphy teasing a return, Disney+ and Hulu announced that a revival of the series is in fact officially on the way.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of libel

Noun

The classmate, Joleene Altum, sued Griffin for emotional distress and invasion of privacy, and Griffin countersued for defamation in a bitter, ongoing legal battle.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Allen denied both women's allegations and filed counterclaims against them in July 2023, accusing his former manager of defamation and other claims and accusing Jane Doe 2 of unlawfully taking his cellphone following their encounter.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of defamation

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calumnious

calumny

calvaries

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“Calumny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calumny. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of calumny

noun

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