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Definitions

dirty linen

NOUN
gossip
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buzz chatter chitchat conversation hearsay news scandal slander tale
STRONG
account babble blather blether calumny chronicle clothesline cry defamation earful grapevine injury meddling prate prattle report scuttlebutt story talk wire
WEAK
back-fence talk dirty laundry dirty wash idle talk malicious talk small talk whispering campaign
Antonyms
STRONG
quiet silence
WEAK
fact
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 backstabbing belittlement 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
backstabbing belittlement black eye mud-slinging
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval commendation compliment praise
STRONG
flattery
WEAK
glorification nicety
NOUN
talebearing
Synonyms
WEAK
account babble back-fence talk blather blether buzz calumny chatter chitchat chronicle clothesline conversation cry defamation dirty laundry dirty wash earful gossipry grapevine hearsay idle talk injury malicious talk meddling news prate prattle report rumor scandal scuttlebutt slander small talk story tale talk tattle tittle-tattle whispering campaign wire word

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.

Another complication for your friend: The probate process is public, the legal equivalent of washing your dirty linen in the front yard.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

"It is still very much a work in progress. An awful lot has been said between the two. So much dirty linen has been put out in the public, so to speak."

From Fox News • Jul. 2, 2021

Such exposés tarnish the whole community, and are regarded by many as washing the community’s dirty linen in public.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 22, 2019

And no one, I think, wants to be seen washing dirty linen in the foreign press.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2018

She shouldered the sack that contained all the dirty linen and the evil ball of hair.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya