backbiting

UK: /ˈbækbaɪtɪŋ/

From the verb backbite: (⇒ conjugate)

backbiting is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

back•bite /ˈbækˌbaɪt/   v., -bit, -bit•ten or (Informal ) -bit;
-bit•ing. 

1. to attack the character of (a person who is not present);
   slander: [ ~ + obj ]:
   always backbiting me to my friends.
   [no obj]:
   backbiting and gossiping.

back•bit•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

back•bite  (bak′bīt′), v., -bit, -bit•ten or (Informal) -bit;
-bit•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).

v.i. 

2. to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.

• 1125–75; Middle English; see back¹, bite

back′bit′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. belittle, disparage, deprecate; slander, libel, defame.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

backbite / ˈbækˌbaɪt/ verb ( -bites, -biting, -bit, -bitten, -bit)

1. to talk spitefully about (an absent person)

ˈbackˌbiter noun