1. a false statement made to damage someone’s reputation; slander
Usage: formal

Examples

• The politician sued the newspaper for publishing calumnies about his personal life.
• She refused to respond to the calumny spread by her former business partner.
• The author’s reputation was damaged by calumnies circulated by jealous rivals.
• He was known for spreading calumny about anyone who disagreed with him.
• The court found that the accusations were nothing more than malicious calumny.
• Despite the calumnies against her character, she maintained her dignity.
• The campaign was marked by calumny and personal attacks rather than policy debates.