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backbiting

back·bite
B b

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [bak-bahyt]
    • /ˈbækˌbaɪt/
    • /ˈbækˌbaɪ.tɪŋ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [bak-bahyt]
    • /ˈbækˌbaɪt/

Definitions of backbiting word

  • uncountable noun backbiting If you accuse someone of backbiting, you mean that they say unpleasant or unkind things about someone who is not present, especially in order to stop them doing well at work. 3
  • noun backbiting spiteful talk about an absent person 3
  • verb with object backbiting to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present). 1
  • verb without object backbiting to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present. 1
  • noun backbiting Malicious talk about someone who is not present. 1
  • adjective backbiting treacherous 1

Information block about the term

Origin of backbiting

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 Backbiting

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

backbiting 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.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

backbiting usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for backbiting

noun backbiting

  • lieJonas, 1880–1940, U.S. painter, born in Norway.
  • slander — defamation; calumny: rumors full of slander.
  • abuse — Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
  • spite — a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.
  • gossip — idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others: the endless gossip about Hollywood stars.

adjective backbiting

  • scandalous — disgraceful; shameful or shocking; improper: scandalous behavior in public.
  • ironic — using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark.
  • libelous — containing, constituting, or involving a libel; maliciously defamatory.
  • catty — If someone, especially a woman or girl, is being catty, they are being unpleasant and unkind.
  • red hot — red with heat; very hot.

Antonyms for backbiting

noun backbiting

  • praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

Top questions with backbiting

  • what is backbiting?
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  • what does backbiting mean in the bible?
  • what does the bible say about gossip and backbiting?
  • what does islam say about backbiting?
  • what is the meaning of backbiting?

See also

Matching words

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