What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
calumnia
Example
He was a victim of calumnia when his former colleague spread false rumors about him. [calumnia: noun]
Example
She calumniated her rival by spreading lies about her personal life. [calumniated: past tense verb]
smear
Example
The politician's opponents tried to smear his name by spreading false allegations in the press. [smear: verb]
Example
She was a victim of a smear campaign during the election, with false stories being circulated about her. [smear campaign: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smear is more commonly used than calumnia in everyday language. Smear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while calumnia is less common and may be more specific to legal or formal discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between calumnia and smear?
While calumnia is typically associated with a more formal or legal tone, smear is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
