backbite

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Characters backbite, bellyache, reluctantly pitch in and commit mundane acts of heroism in a largely believable manner, and there’s blessedly little inspirational speechmaking.

From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2022

Diana could spin one delicious backbite like that into a column.

From Time Magazine Archive

The duty of the Ninth Commandment is to love the truth, not to backbite and slander, to speak well of all men; the contrary is lying, backbiting, and to speak evil of another.

From Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther by Bell, Captain Henry

Use his men well, Davy; for they     are arrant knaves and will backbite.

From The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by Shakespeare, William

As Brandes wittily observes: "People who talk like that do not torture their enemy to death; they backbite him."

From Essays on Scandinavian Literature by Boyesen, Hjalmar Hjorth