1. making false and damaging statements about someone; slandering or defaming
Usage: present participle of 'calumny' used as a verb; formal or literary register

Examples

• The newspaper was accused of calumnying the politician with unsubstantiated claims.
• He spent years calumnying his rival's reputation in the press.
• They were sued for calumnying the company's founder in their documentary.
• The article was criticized for calumnying an entire group based on stereotypes.
• She refused to participate in calumnying her former colleague despite pressure from others.