vilification, obloquy, scurrility, scandal, defamation, aspersion,
traducement, slander, calumny, obtrectation†, evil-speaking, backbiting,
scandalum magnatum [Lat.].
personality, libel, lampoon, skit, pasquinade; chronique
scandaleuse [Fr.]; roorback [U.S.].
sarcasm, cynicism; criticism (disapprobation) 932; invective &c
932; envenomed tongue; spretae injuria formae [Lat.].
personality, libel, lampoon, skit, pasquinade; chronique
scandaleuse [Fr.]; roorback [U.S.].
detractor &c 936.
V. detract, derogate, decry, deprecate, depreciate, disparage; run
down, cry down; backcap [U.S.]; belittle; sneer at &c (contempt) 930;
criticize, pull to pieces, pick a hole in one's coat, asperse, cast
aspersions, blow upon, bespatter, blacken, vilify, vilipend†; avile†;
give a dog a bad name, brand, malign; muckrake; backbite, libel,
lampoon, traduce, slander, defame, calumniate, bear false witness
against; speak ill of behind one's back.
fling dirt &c (disrespect) 929; anathematize &c 932; dip the pen
in gall, view in a bad light.
impugn (disparage the motives of); assail, attack &c 716; oppose
&c 708; denounce, accuse &c 938.
Adj. detracting &c v.; defamatory, detractory†, derogatory, deprecatory;
catty; disparaging, libelous; scurrile, scurrilous; abusive; foul-
spoken, foul-tongued, foul-mouthed; slanderous; calumnious,
calumniatory†; sarcastic, sardonic; sarcastic, satirical, cynical.
critical &c 932.
Phr. damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer; and without
sneering, teach the rest to sneer [Pope]; another lie nailed to the
counter; cut men's throats with whisperings [B.
Jonson]; foul whisperings are abroad [Macbeth]; soft-buzzing
slander [Thomson]; virtue itself 'scapes not calumnious strokes
[Hamlet].