Calumny vs Slander: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
Calumny is the act of spreading false, malicious information about someone to harm them. Slander is the legal term for spoken calumny; calumny implies the intent to discredit.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Calumny mean?
noun · /ˈkæl.əm.ni/
A false accusation or statement maliciously made to damage someone's reputation; slander. Calumny differs from mere lies in its deliberateness — the calumniator knows they are lying and intends the harm.
Explore CalumnyCalumny in a sentence
She had survived the calumny — barely — but the people who'd spread it had never been held accountable.
Political calumny works by the principle of the mud: some always sticks, regardless of the eventual verdict.
What does Slander mean?
noun / verb · /ˈslɑːn.dər/
The act of making false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation. Slander is defamation in speech; its written equivalent is libel. Both require falsity, damage, and publication — but slander speaks where libel writes.
Explore SlanderSlander in a sentence
She sued for slander after the false rumour cost her the contract.
The line between honest opinion and slander is narrow but consequential.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Calumny and Slander?
Calumny is the act of spreading false, malicious information about someone to harm them. Slander is the legal term for spoken calumny; calumny implies the intent to discredit.
What does Calumny mean?
A false accusation or statement maliciously made to damage someone's reputation; slander. Calumny differs from mere lies in its deliberateness — the calumniator knows they are lying and intends the harm.
What does Slander mean?
The act of making false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation. Slander is defamation in speech; its written equivalent is libel. Both require falsity, damage, and publication — but slander speaks where libel writes.