Synonym Chooser

How does the verb traduce differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of traduce are asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, slander, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When is asperse a more appropriate choice than traduce?

The words asperse and traduce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

In what contexts can calumniate take the place of traduce?

In some situations, the words calumniate and traduce are roughly equivalent. However, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

When would defame be a good substitute for traduce?

While in some cases nearly identical to traduce, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When is it sensible to use malign instead of traduce?

The meanings of malign and traduce largely overlap; however, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

When might slander be a better fit than traduce?

The words slander and traduce can be used in similar contexts, but slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When could vilify be used to replace traduce?

While the synonyms vilify and traduce are close in meaning, vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of traduce Its founding principles and its 1968 charter are of a bygone era, and they have been violated and traduced by the Palestinians’ own official practice. Hussein Agha, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2021 Those serenely appraising eyes refuse to be traduced by any fiction. Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023 Her infatuation traduces the complexities of interracial, interspecies, and cross-cultural attraction. Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023 And the academic establishment traduced it, mocked it, minimized it. Ariana Marsh, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Mar. 2023 In Philip’s case, the myth was the good Jewish boy traduced by inner anarchy. Benjamin Taylor, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2020 Authors and illustrators are being flamed online and having their reputations traduced and their careers threatened for transgressing the capricious new standards of ideological purity. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 31 Jan. 2020 The site functions first as a watchdog to the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a profane populist who not only traduces norms but also urges the assassination of Filipino citizens in the name of combatting drugs. Karl Vick, Time, 12 Dec. 2019 But though subsequently traduced as extreme, Friedman’s position had a fair amount of give in it. The Economist, 22 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traduce
Verb
  • The latest case before the court involves Louisiana's congressional map, which was redrawn last year to add a second majority-Black district to comply with Section 2, but then was found to be a racial gerrymander that violated the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Typically, the Office for Civil Rights investigates a complaint and finds out whether a school or district has violated its obligation to serve students with disabilities.
    Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
    Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Two judges have found the administration broke federal laws in its handling of the layoffs and ordered workers reinstated.
    Time, Time, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • There is no music in the teaser, and the only action comes with j-hope stands up and an unseen hand smears his face with white paint as the song’s title pops up on screen.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Now, finally, parents have an ally in the White House—rather than an administration working hand in glove with activist organizations to smear them and chill their political participation.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Traduce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traduce. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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