i Register
In some senses, backbite is marked as informal. Watch for register when choosing this word.
backbite
verb 3noun 1
Collocations
3VERB + BACKBITE
get, spy
BACKBITE + NOUN
woman
PREP.
with
Definitions
verb
1
To make spiteful slanderous or defamatory statements about someone.
They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.
Gumshoe: You're not gonna get me to backbite a woman with a whip. No way.
2
To attack from behind or when out of earshot with spiteful or defamatory remarks.
3
To speak badly of an absent individual.
noun
1
One who engages in backbiting; a backbiter.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb — say mean things
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
401
They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.
Wiktionary02
Gumshoe: You're not gonna get me to backbite a woman with a whip. No way.
Wiktionary03
And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would any of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abhor that!
Tatoeba · #245516004
She does nothing but backbite.
Tatoeba · #12425947Usage Notes
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