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

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

From The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by Shakespeare, William

Wherefore, properly speaking, to backbite is to speak ill of an absent person in order to blacken his good name.

From Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint

Besides, the way people gossip and backbite is the very devil!

From Three Comedies by Sharp, R. Farquharson (Robert Farquharson)