TRADUCE Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

traduce

verb

trə-ˈdüs

Definition of traduce

as in to violate

to fail to keep a law that traduces one of our most cherished rights: the right to privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to libel

to make untrue and harmful statements about my opponent in this campaign may villainously traduce me, but I will not stoop to his level

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traduce

Verb

Earlier in the episode, Whitfield and Lindy violate Mabel — then pour hot coffee on her — before Whitfield pushes her down on the breakfast table and rapes her.

— Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
Not the least of which is that the terms of the settlement clearly violate antitrust law, which was the grounds for the lawsuit in the first place.

— Joe Sabin, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025