| Main Entry: | denigration |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | belittlement |
Synonyms: |
aspersion, calumniation, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, deprecation, derogation, detraction, disparagement, libel, libeling, put-down, ridicule, scorn, slander, smearing, traducement, traducing, vilification |
| Main Entry: | attack |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | verbal assault |
Synonyms: |
abuse, aggression, belligerence, blame, calumny, censure, combativeness, criticism, denigration, denunciation, impugnment, libel, pugnacity, slander, vilification |
Antonyms: |
defense, reprisal, resistance, retreat, submission, surrender |
| Main Entry: | backbiting |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | hateful talk |
Synonyms: |
abuse, aspersion, backstabbing, belittlement, calumniation, calumny, cattiness, defamation, denigration, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, gossip, invective, lie, malice, obloquy, scandal, slander, spite, spitefulness, tale, traducement, vilification, vituperation |
Antonyms: |
encouragement, praise |
| Main Entry: | bashing |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | abuse against a group or individual based on identity or ideological beliefs |
Synonyms: |
assault, attack, beating, beating up, bias crime, censure, charge, condemnation, criticism, denigration, harassment, hate crime, hounding, jumping, offensive, persecution, strike, torment |
| Main Entry: | defamation |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | libel, slander |
Synonyms: |
aspersion, backbiting, backstabbing, belittlement, black eye, calumny, character assassination, cheap shot, denigration, depreciation, detraction, dirt, dirty laundry, disparagement, dump*, dynamite, hit, knock, lie, low-down dirty, mud, obloquy, opprobrium, scorcher, slam*, slap in face, slime, slur, smear, tale, traducement, vilification |
Antonyms: |
approval, commendation, compliment, exaltation, praise |
| Main Entry: | detraction |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | misrepresentation; slander |
Synonyms: |
abuse, aspersion, backbiting, backstabbing, belittlement, calumny, damage, defamation, denigration, deprecation, derogation, disesteem, disparagement, harm, hit, hurt, injury, injustice, innuendo, insinuation, knock*, libel, libeling, lie, maligning, minimization, muckraking, obloquy, pejorative, revilement, ridicule, running down, scandal, scandalmongering, scurrility, slam, smear campaign, tale, traducement, traducing, vilification, vituperation, wrong |
Antonyms: |
admiration, adulation, flattery, praise |
| Main Entry: | libel |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | purposeful lie about someone, often malicious |
Synonyms: |
aspersion, calumny, defamation, denigration, lying, malicious, obloquy, smear, vituperation |
| Notes: | libel (from Latin libellus 'little book') must be published, while spoken defamatory remarks are slander; libel first meant 'document, written statement' slander is spoken defamation; libel is written or visual or broadcast defamation |
Antonyms: |
compliment, praise |
| Main Entry: | belittlement |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | act of belittling |
Synonyms: |
aspersion, denigration, deprecation, derogation, detraction, disparagement, put-down, ridicule, scorn |
| Main Entry: | calumniation |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | false accusation |
Synonyms: |
aspersion, calumny, character assassination, defamation, denigration, libel, malice, malicious statement, obloquy, slander, traducement, vilification |
| Main Entry: | deprecation |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | belittlement |
Synonyms: |
aspersion, denigration, derogation, detraction, disparagement, put-down, ridicule, scorn |