What does backbite mean?
Backbite means To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone..
Backbite
Pronunciation varies by accent · verb
Meaning
To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone..
Definitions by Sense
- To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone.
- (informal) To attack from behind or when out of earshot with spiteful or defamatory remarks.
- To speak badly of an absent individual.
- One who engages in backbiting; a backbiter.
Example Sentences
They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.
Gumshoe: You're not gonna get me to backbite a woman with a whip. No way.
Synonyms for backbite
Antonyms for backbite
Related Words
Word Forms
- backbites
- backbiting
- backbit
- backbitten
- back-bite
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for backbite?
Common synonyms include denigrate, libel, slander, assassinate.
What is the opposite of backbite?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use backbite in a sentence?
They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.