Badmouth: meaning, definitions and examples

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badmouth

[ ˈbadˌmaʊð ]

^{Context #1}

speaking negatively about someone

To badmouth someone is to speak negatively about them, often behind their back. It involves saying unkind or critical things about someone in order to damage their reputation or make others think poorly of them.

Synonyms

criticize, defame, malign, slander

Examples of usage

He's always badmouthing his coworkers to the boss.
She badmouthed her ex-boyfriend to all her friends after they broke up.

Translations

Translations of the word "badmouth" in other languages:

🇵🇹 difamar

🇮🇳 बदनामी करना

🇩🇪 schlechtmachen

🇮🇩 memfitnah

🇺🇦 обмовляти

🇵🇱 oczerniać

🇯🇵 悪口を言う (わるぐちをいう)

🇫🇷 médire

🇪🇸 difamar

🇹🇷 iftira atmak

🇰🇷 험담하다

🇸🇦 يتحدث بالسوء عن

🇨🇿 pomlouvat

🇸🇰 ohovárať

🇨🇳 诽谤 (fěibàng)

🇸🇮 obrekovati

🇮🇸 baktala

🇰🇿 жала жабу

🇬🇪 ცილისწამება

🇦🇿 böhtan atmaq

🇲🇽 difamar

Word origin

The term 'badmouth' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'bad' (meaning unfavorable or negative) with 'mouth' (indicating speech or expression). It reflects the idea of speaking ill of someone or something. The practice of badmouthing others has been around for centuries, often used as a way to harm someone's reputation or credibility.