backstabbing

ADJECTIVE

two-faced

Synonyms

WEAK

artful beguiling crafty cunning deceiving deceptive dishonest double-dealing foxy fraudulent guileful hypocritical insincere knavish lying misleading shifty sly sneaky tricky underhanded untruthful

NOUN

backbiting

Synonyms

STRONG

abuse gossip lie slander spite

WEAK

aspersion belittlement calumniation calumny cattiness defamation denigration depreciation detraction disparagement invective malice obloquy scandal spitefulness tale traducement vilification vituperation

Antonyms

STRONG

praise

WEAK

encouragement

NOUN

defamation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

denigration disparagement

STRONG

aspersion calumny depreciation detraction dirt dump dynamite hit knock lie mud obloquy opprobrium scorcher slam slime slur smear tale traducement vilification

WEAK

backbiting belittlement black eye character assassination cheap shot dirty laundry low-down dirty slap in face

Antonyms

STRONG

compliment flattery praise

WEAK

approval commendation exaltation

NOUN

detraction

Synonyms

STRONG

abuse aspersion calumny damage defamation denigration deprecation derogation disesteem disparagement harm hit hurt injury injustice innuendo insinuation knock libel lie minimization muckraking obloquy revilement ridicule scandal scandalmongering scurrility slam tale traducement vilification vituperation wrong

WEAK

backbiting belittlement libeling maligning pejorative running down smear campaign traducing

Antonyms

STRONG

advantage aid approval benefit blessing commendation compliment favor flattery good help kindness praise right

WEAK

admiration adulation

NOUN

disparagement

Synonyms

STRONG

aspersion blame calumny censure condemnation contempt contumely debasement degradation denunciation depreciation derision derogation discredit disdain impairment lessening lie prejudice reproach ridicule scandal scorn slander tale underestimation

WEAK

backbiting belittlement

Antonyms

STRONG

admiration approval commendation compliment endorsement exoneration flattery honor love praise regard respect sanction

NOUN

double-cross

Synonyms

STRONG

disloyalty scam sellout swindle treachery trickery

NOUN

scandal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crime rumor wrongdoing

STRONG

aspersion calumny defamation depreciation detraction discredit disgrace dishonor disparagement disrepute dynamite gossip hearsay ignominy infamy mud obloquy opprobrium reproach scorcher shame sin slander tale talk turpitude

WEAK

backbiting belittlement dirty linen eavesdropping idle rumor skeleton in closet

Antonyms

STRONGEST

good deed

STRONG

approval commendation compliment esteem exaltation flattery goodness honor morality praise respect

NOUN

slander

Synonyms

STRONGEST

defamation disparagement libel misrepresentation smear

STRONG

aspersion backbiting calumny depreciation detraction dirt hit lie muckraking mud obloquy rap scandal slam slime tale

WEAK

belittlement black eye dirty linen mud-slinging

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approval commendation compliment praise

STRONG

flattery

WEAK

glorification nicety

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In nonviolent settings, it leads to mean-girl-style ostracism or political backstabbing around the corporate watercooler.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

“The Last Kings” is rife with a different sort of bad behavior: the sort of backstabbing that only friends do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

This was not the case with “Boston Rob” Mariano, a wildcard mid-season addition who immediately set about backstabbing everyone in his way, including other Traitors.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026

She continues to settle scores on Father Figure - the scathing story of a backstabbing protégé, that interpolates the George Michael classic of the same name.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2025

After all, she came from a long line of backstabbing, power-hungry rivals.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

backstabbing

Example Sentences

Related Words