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bad-mouthing

NOUN
abuse
Synonyms
STRONG
blame castigation censure curse curses defamation derision hosing insults invective knifing libel obloquy opprobrium put down quinine reproach revilement scolding signifying slander swearing tirade upbraiding vilification vituperation
WEAK
kicking around pushing around
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid help plaudit preservation respect
NOUN
minimization
Synonyms
STRONG
criticism denigration deprecation depreciation derogation detraction disparagement smear
Antonyms
STRONG
approval compliment flattery praise
NOUN
revilement
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse berating billingsgate blame castigation censure contumely criticism defamation insults invective libel obloquy railing reprimand reproach scolding scurrility slander tirade upbraiding
WEAK
reviling scurrilousness verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise respect
NOUN
reviling
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse berating blame censure insults libel railing reprimand reproach scolding slander upbraiding
WEAK
billingsgate castigation contumely criticism defamation invective obloquy revilement scurrility scurrilousness tirade verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment praise respect
NOUN
scurrility
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse berating billingsgate blame castigation censure contumely criticism defamation insults invective libel obloquy railing reprimand reproach revilement scolding slander tirade upbraiding
WEAK
reviling scurrilousness verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise respect
NOUN
scurrilousness
Synonyms
WEAK
abuse berating billingsgate blame castigation censure contumely criticism defamation insults invective libel obloquy railing reprimand reproach revilement reviling scolding scurrility slander tirade upbraiding verbal abuse
NOUN
sour grapes
Synonyms
WEAK
derogation disappointment disparagement ill-will resentment
NOUN
vituperation
Synonyms
STRONG
berating blame castigation censure criticism defamation insults libel obloquy reprimand reproach scolding slander tirade upbraiding
WEAK
verbal abuse
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation praise

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.

Judging from the near-universal backlash to Timothée Chalamet’s recent bad-mouthing of ballet, Eden’s summation of the central tenet of their show may be true.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Your boss may be bad-mouthing you to others.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 28, 2026

District Judge Beryl Howell tore into Giuliani on Friday for violating a permanent injunction against bad-mouthing Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two women who successfully sued the former New York City mayor for defamation.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

Hanni further alleged that she had seen employees bad-mouthing NewJeans on Blind - an app for internal communications similar to Teams or Slack.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2024

She just asks questions about Shoji and whether anyone—the doctors, Dad, Serena—has been bad-mouthing her.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman