Calumnious: meaning, definitions and examples

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calumnious

[kəˈlʌmnɪəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in legal context

Slanderous or defamatory; falsely and maliciously accusing someone of a crime or wrongdoing.

Synonyms

defamatory, libelous, slanderous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
calumnious	Use in formal or literary contexts to describe statements that are intentionally and maliciously false. The calumnious rumors spread through the town like wildfire
slanderous	Best used in both everyday and legal contexts to describe false, spoken statements that aim to harm someone's reputation. The allegations were proven to be slanderous and without merit
defamatory	Appropriate when referring to statements that are damaging to someone's reputation. This term is suitable for both formal and legal contexts. The article was considered defamatory and led to a lawsuit
libelous	Specifically used in legal contexts to describe false, written statements that harm someone's reputation. This term often surfaces in discussions about media and publishing. The newspaper was sued for publishing a libelous article

Examples of usage

The calumnious accusations made by the defendant were proven to be baseless in court.
Her reputation was tarnished by the calumnious remarks spread by her former colleague.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in general context

Harmful and untrue statements intended to damage someone's reputation.

Synonyms

false, harmful, malicious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
calumnious	Used to describe statements or behaviors intended to damage someone's reputation by false accusations. The politician filed a lawsuit against the calumnious article published about him. Her calumnious remarks caused irreparable damage to his career.
malicious	Used to describe actions or behaviors intentionally meant to cause harm or pain. It often carries a stronger and more negative connotation. He was accused of spreading malicious rumors about his coworker. Her malicious actions were intended to sabotage the project.
false	Used to describe information that is not true, without necessarily implying harmful intent. The rumor that the school was closing turned out to be false. She was given false information about the meeting time.
harmful	Used to describe something that causes damage or hurt, either physically or emotionally. Smoking is harmful to your health. The harmful effects of pollution are becoming more evident.

Examples of usage

The newspaper published a calumnious article about the politician, causing a public outcry.
She was devastated by the calumnious gossip that was being spread about her.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'calumnia', meaning 'false accusation'.
It shares roots with 'calumniate', which means to make false statements to damage someone’s character.
It was adopted into English in the late 16th century and has maintained a similar meaning ever since.

History

Throughout history, calumnious statements have been used as tools of political maneuvering, particularly during elections.
In ancient Rome, public figures often faced calumnious attacks which could tarnish their reputation and political ambitions.
Calumnious accusations often emerged in literature as a way to illustrate the folly of characters who relied on gossip.

Law

Calumny can lead to defamation lawsuits, where someone seeks to clear their name from false allegations.
In legal contexts, calumnious claims must be proven false to be actionable, often requiring substantial evidence.
Different jurisdictions have various thresholds for what constitutes calumnious statements under defamation law.

Psychology

Engaging in calumnious behavior can stem from jealousy or a desire for power, reflecting deeper emotional issues.
Victims of calumny may experience significant psychological impacts, including anxiety and loss of trust in others.
Studies show that people are often more likely to believe negative statements about others, illustrating a bias toward negative information.

Literature

In Shakespeare's plays, characters often resort to calumnious accusations to undermine rivals, reflecting human nature.
Calumnious themes appear in novels as a way to portray social dynamics, such as in 'The Great Gatsby', where rumors shape perceptions.
Classic literature often uses calumny to critique society and highlight the consequences of slanderous behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "calumnious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 calunioso

🇮🇳 अपमानजनक

🇩🇪 verleumderisch

🇮🇩 fitnah

🇺🇦 наклепницький

🇵🇱 oszczerczy

🇯🇵 中傷的な

🇫🇷 calomnieux

🇪🇸 calumnioso

🇹🇷 iftiralı

🇰🇷 중상적인

🇸🇦 افترائي

🇨🇿 pomlouvačný

🇸🇰 ohováračný

🇨🇳 诽谤的

🇸🇮 obrekljiv

🇮🇸 rógburður

🇰🇿 жала жабушы

🇬🇪 სიძულვილის გამომწვევი

🇦🇿 böhtançı

🇲🇽 calumnioso