Nominal Forms
Infinitive: to backbite
Participle: backbitten
Gerund: backbiting
Indicative
Present
Perfect
Past
Pluperfect
Future
Future Perfect
Subjunctive
Present
Perfect
Imperfect
Pluperfect
Imperative
Verbs similar to 'backbite'
backdate,
backfire,
backfit,
backtime,
accite,
acquite,
babbit,
babbitt,
backbend,
backburn,
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- to try to diminish the reputation of
- asperse, assassinate, badmouth, belibel, belittle, besmirch, blaze, blemish, blot, calumniate, calumny, cloud, cut down, defame, demonize, denigrate, derogate, detract, discredit, disgrace, disparage, diss, forgab, infamize, libel, monster, reproach, scandal, shit-talk, slander, speak ill of, talk shit, talk shite, talk trash, traduce, trash-talk, vilify, vilipend, vituperate
Additional Information
Phrasal Verbs
Etymology
From Middle English bakbiten, bacbiten, equivalent to back- + bite. Cognate with Icelandic bakbíta (“to backbite, vilify”). See: Icelandic '
bakbíta'.
Sample Sentences
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They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way. [1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 213:]
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Gumshoe: You're not gonna get me to backbite a woman with a whip. No way. [2007 March 16, Capcom Production Studio 4, quoting Gumshoe, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All, Europe: Capcom, →OCLC, Nintendo DS, scene: Part 3: Investigation, Plaza, level/area: Turnabout Big Top:]