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backbite

[ bak-bahyt ]

/ ˈbækˌbaɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR backbite ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), back·bit, back·bit·ten or (Informal) back·bit; back·bit·ing.

to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).

verb (used without object), back·bit, back·bit·ten or (Informal) back·bit; back·bit·ing.

to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.

Origin of backbite

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at back¹, bite

SYNONYMS FOR backbite

1 belittle, disparage, deprecate; slander, libel, defame.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR backbite ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM backbite

back·bit·er, noun

Words nearby backbite

backband, backbar, backbeat, backbencher, backbend, backbite, backblocks, backboard, backboard splint, backbone, backbreaker

Example sentences from the Web for backbiter

It was therefore agreeable to find one of the Mystery detractors actually named Backbiter.

The Grotesque in Church Art |T. Tindall Wildridge
He was no backbiter; he refrained, even with me, from hostile criticism of other actors.

McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3, August, 1893 |Various
Every one has his opportunity, and this robs the plotter and backbiter of his venom.

Socialism and Democracy in Europe |Samuel P. Orth
Nobody could call him a detractor or a backbiter or a talebearer or a liar.

Bunyan Characters |Alexander Whyte

I know thee for a liar, a deceiver, a backbiter, and a spirit of insatiable malevolence.

The Three Perils of Man, Vol. 3 (of 3) |James Hogg

British Dictionary definitions for backbiter

backbite

/ (ˈbækˌbaɪt) /

verb -bites, -biting, -bit, -bitten or -bit

to talk spitefully about (an absent person)

Derived forms of backbite

backbiter, noun