backbite
verb
back·bite ˈbak-ˌbīt 
backbit; backbitten; backbiting
transitive + intransitive
: to say mean or spiteful things about a person (such as someone who is not present)
They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.
Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad backbiter noun
Word History
First Known Use
12th century, in the meaning defined above
backbiting
noun
as in slander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- slander
- calumny
- defamation
- vilification
- libel
- disparagement
- detraction
- denigration
- aspersion
- belittlement
- ridicule
- vituperation
- invective
- criticism
- derogation
- depreciation
- condemnation
- denunciation
- abuse
- censure
- denouncement
- diminishment
- derision
- deprecation
- put-down
- mockery
- minimization
- soft-pedaling
- de-emphasis
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glorification
- aggrandizement
- exaltation
- praise
- magnification
- approval
- acclaim
- approbation
- ennoblement
- blessing
- commendation
- puffery
- hype
- hydraulic brake
- hydraulic cement
- hydraulic classification
- hydraulic coupling
- hydraulic dredge
- hydraulic elevator
- hydraulic engineering
- hydraulic fluid
- hydraulic fracturing
- hydraulic grade line
- hydraulic gradient
- hydraulic jack
- hydraulic jump
- complex integration
- complex mode
- complex number
- complex plane
- complex regional pain syndrome
- complex unit
- complex variable
- complexation
- complexations
- complexed
- complexedness
- complexer