Calumniated

To calumniate someone means to make false and malicious statements about them in order to damage their reputation. It involves the spreading of slanderous and defamatory information with the intent to harm, often with a degree of malicious intent. The act focuses on the spreading of lies, with the end goal to besmirch or ruin someone's character or professional standing. It is often done through the communication of these lies whether it is verbal or written or through the creation of rumors, or by deliberately spreading incorrect or misleading information with the primary focus on damaging someone’s reputation or standing in the community.

Calumniated meaning with examples

• During the bitter political campaign, the opposing candidate was repeatedly calumniated by their rivals. False accusations of corruption and incompetence were spread throughout the media and amongst the public, impacting their approval ratings. These targeted lies were intended to ruin his chances of winning and undermined any hope for a fair and honest election.
• The whistleblower was calumniated by their former employer after exposing unethical business practices. They released slanderous articles in an attempt to discredit the whistleblower and paint them as a disgruntled former employee. The lies were intended to cover up their wrongdoing and to make the whistleblower's revelations seem invalid.
• The social media influencer, known for her glamorous lifestyle, was calumniated by online trolls. They created fake accounts, spreading rumors about her financial situation, relationships, and personal life. The lies and fabricated content served to hurt the influencer, tarnishing her brand and causing emotional distress.
• The scientist, whose research challenged established theories, was calumniated by his peers who had been involved in these theories and that had made them famous. His findings were dismissed as flawed, the experiments were said to be rigged and the scientist himself was made out to be untrustworthy. The slander effectively blocked his career and ruined his academic reputation.
• After disagreeing with the popular viewpoint, the writer was calumniated by their publisher. They spread damaging rumors, insinuating the writer was mentally unstable. They deliberately discredited the writer, cancelled any deals, stopped any future collaborations and destroyed his reputation. The publisher hoped to punish the writer for disagreeing with him.