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Dictionary.com

backstabbing

ADJECTIVE
two-faced
Synonyms
WEAK
artful beguiling crafty cunning deceiving deceptive dishonest double-dealing foxy fraudulent guileful hypocritical insincere knavish lying misleading shifty sly sneaky tricky underhanded untruthful
NOUN
backbiting
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse gossip lie slander spite
WEAK
aspersion belittlement calumniation calumny cattiness defamation denigration depreciation detraction disparagement invective malice obloquy scandal spitefulness tale traducement vilification vituperation
Antonyms
STRONG
praise
WEAK
encouragement
NOUN
defamation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
denigration disparagement
STRONG
aspersion calumny depreciation detraction dirt dump dynamite hit knock lie mud obloquy opprobrium scorcher slam slime slur smear tale traducement vilification
WEAK
backbiting belittlement black eye character assassination cheap shot dirty laundry low-down dirty slap in face
Antonyms
STRONG
compliment flattery praise
WEAK
approval commendation exaltation
NOUN
detraction
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse aspersion calumny damage defamation denigration deprecation derogation disesteem disparagement harm hit hurt injury injustice innuendo insinuation knock libel lie minimization muckraking obloquy revilement ridicule scandal scandalmongering scurrility slam tale traducement vilification vituperation wrong
WEAK
backbiting belittlement libeling maligning pejorative running down smear campaign traducing
Antonyms
STRONG
advantage aid approval benefit blessing commendation compliment favor flattery good help kindness praise right
WEAK
admiration adulation
NOUN
disparagement
Synonyms
STRONG
aspersion blame calumny censure condemnation contempt contumely debasement degradation denunciation depreciation derision derogation discredit disdain impairment lessening lie prejudice reproach ridicule scandal scorn slander tale underestimation
WEAK
backbiting belittlement
Antonyms
STRONG
admiration approval commendation compliment endorsement exoneration flattery honor love praise regard respect sanction
NOUN
double-cross
Synonyms
STRONG
disloyalty scam sellout swindle treachery trickery
NOUN
scandal
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crime rumor wrongdoing
STRONG
aspersion calumny defamation depreciation detraction discredit disgrace dishonor disparagement disrepute dynamite gossip hearsay ignominy infamy mud obloquy opprobrium reproach scorcher shame sin slander tale talk turpitude
WEAK
backbiting belittlement dirty linen eavesdropping idle rumor skeleton in closet
Antonyms
STRONGEST
good deed
STRONG
approval commendation compliment esteem exaltation flattery goodness honor morality praise respect
NOUN
slander
Synonyms
STRONGEST
defamation disparagement libel misrepresentation smear
STRONG
aspersion backbiting calumny depreciation detraction dirt hit lie muckraking mud obloquy rap scandal slam slime tale
WEAK
belittlement black eye dirty linen mud-slinging
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval commendation compliment praise
STRONG
flattery
WEAK
glorification nicety

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.

There’s a lot less backstabbing and reality nonsense that you saw in the earlier seasons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In nonviolent settings, it leads to mean-girl-style ostracism or political backstabbing around the corporate watercooler.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

George Cukor’s black-and-white vision traipses its heroines through dress fittings, manicures and facials, day drinking and backstabbing all the way, save for an interruption by a Technicolor fashion show.

From Salon • Nov. 6, 2025

There are CIA suits, secret police, faceless bureaucrats and backstabbing traitors lurking in these pages.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2025

After all, she came from a long line of backstabbing, power-hungry rivals.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby