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backbite

back·bite
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [bak-bahyt]
    • /ˈbækˌbaɪt/
    • /ˈbækbaɪt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bak-bahyt]
    • /ˈbækˌbaɪt/

Definitions of backbite word

  • verb backbite to talk spitefully about (an absent person) 3
  • verb transitive backbite to speak maliciously about (an absent person); slander 3
  • verb with object backbite to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present). 1
  • verb without object backbite to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present. 1
  • noun backbite To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone. 1
  • intransitive verb backbite slander sb 1

Information block about the term

Origin of backbite

First appearance:

before 1125
One of the 6% oldest English words
Middle English word dating back to 1125-75; See origin at back1, bite

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Backbite

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

backbite popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 46% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 62% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

backbite usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for backbite

verb backbite

  • lieJonas, 1880–1940, U.S. painter, born in Norway.
  • traduce — to speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame: to traduce someone's character.
  • spite — a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.
  • malign — to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame: to malign an honorable man.
  • denigrate — If you denigrate someone or something, you criticize them unfairly or insult them.

Antonyms for backbite

verb backbite

  • praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
  • cherish — If you cherish something such as a hope or a pleasant memory, you keep it in your mind for a long period of time.
  • compliment — A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
  • honor — honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.
  • help — to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need; contribute strength or means to; render assistance to; cooperate effectively with; aid; assist: He planned to help me with my work. Let me help you with those packages.

Top questions with backbite

  • what is the meaning of backbite?

See also

Matching words

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