Meaning & use
calumnious
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparableformal
containing or spreading false statements that damage someone's reputation
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun, as in 'a calumnious report'; it can also follow a linking verb, as in 'The article was calumnious.'
Patterns
- a calumnious remark
- calumnious accusations
- be calumnious about someone
The newspaper printed a calumnious story about the mayor, and he sued.
Her calumnious remarks about the company cost her the contract.
He denied making any calumnious statements about his former partner.
Word forms
| comparative | more calumnious |
|---|---|
| superlative | most calumnious |
Common combinations
- calumnious accusation
- The lawyer called the claim a calumnious accusation with no evidence.
- calumnious remark
- One calumnious remark can damage a career.
- calumnious attack
- The speech was seen as a calumnious attack on his rival.
- spread calumnious rumors
- Someone had spread calumnious rumors about the teacher.
Synonyms and how they differ
- slanderous
- More common and usually refers to spoken false statements; 'calumnious' is broader and more formal.
- libelous
- Refers specifically to false statements written or published; 'calumnious' can cover spoken or written attacks.
- defamatory
- The standard legal word for anything that harms a reputation; it is more neutral and more widely used than 'calumnious'.
Opposites
Word family
- calumny noun
- A false statement made to damage someone's reputation.
- calumniate verb
- To make false, damaging statements about someone.
- calumniously adverb
- In a way that spreads false, damaging statements.
Commonly confused: calumnious or columnous?
calumnious vs columnous
Not a real word; learners sometimes misspell 'calumnious' because of the similar sound to 'column'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'calumnious' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Calumnious' describes false statements that harm a reputation, so it fits claims about a neighbor. It cannot describe weather or food, and it does not describe a smile.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “calumnious”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.