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Calumny vs Besmirch - What's the difference?

calumny | besmirch |

As a noun calumny

is a falsification or misrepresentation intended to disparage or discredit another.

As a verb besmirch is

to make dirty; to soil.

calumny

English

Noun

(calumnies)
  • A falsification or misrepresentation intended to disparage or discredit another.
  • Accusations of abuse were pure extortive calumny in a malicious bid to make money .
  • False charges brought about to tarnish another's reputation or standing.
  • Derived terms

    * calumniate

    Synonyms

    * defamation * obloquy * vilification * See also

    besmirch

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To make dirty; to soil.
  • To tarnish something, especially someone's reputation; to debase.
  • The newspaper was on a campaign to besmirch the actor.