Calumniates

To calumniate means to make false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation. It involves spreading malicious rumors or accusations, often with the intent to harm or discredit the person being targeted. The act typically includes the deliberate distortion of facts and the fabrication of untruths, and implies that the speaker knows these claims are false. Calumny can be a potent form of verbal attack, capable of causing significant personal and professional damage to the victim.

Calumniates meaning with examples

• The journalist calumniates the politician in her exposé, spreading baseless accusations of corruption and malfeasance. Her report relies on biased sources and unsubstantiated claims, hoping to sabotage his career before the upcoming election and cause him to be seen in a negative light.
• During the trial, the defense lawyer attempts to calumniates the witness by bringing up old rumors about their past in an effort to discredit their testimony. By casting doubt on their character, he hopes to influence the jury and create some doubt in their mind regarding their validity.
• The tabloids routinely *calumniate* celebrities with sensationalized stories and fabricated scandals to increase readership and cause some shock value. The use of clickbait headlines and photoshopped images ensures constant negative attention, driving an increase in sales and the attention of the public.
• Driven by jealousy, the coworker calumniates his rival, spreading vicious rumors about their work ethic and personal life. The goal is to sabotage the rival's chances of promotion and undermine their relationships within the company, using negative talk to push his own chance.
• In an effort to silence his critics, the dictator calumniates any individuals who question his authority, labeling them as traitors and enemies of the state. These accusations are then used to justify persecution, imprisonment, and even violence against those who speak out against his regime.