calumny

What does “calumny” mean?

noun.the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation.

SAT Usage

The term is often found in passages discussing themes of reputation, trust, or social dynamics, particularly in literature or historical contexts. It emphasizes the malicious intent behind spreading falsehoods, distinguishing it from similar words like "slander," which typically refers to spoken defamation, highlighting the broader implications of damaging someone's character through deliberate lies.

Common Confusions

Calumny implies the intentional spreading of false statements to harm someone's reputation, while slander usually suggests the act of making those false statements verbally rather than in written form.

Example Sentences

• The rumors were pure calumny spread by political opponents.