1. to speak badly of or tell lies about someone in order to damage their reputation
Usage: formal

Examples

• The politician's opponents tried to traduce his character during the campaign.
• She refused to traduce her former colleague despite their disagreement.
• The tabloid newspaper was known to traduce celebrities with false stories.
• He felt that his reputation had been traduced by malicious gossip.
• The witness was accused of traducing the defendant's good name.
• Rather than traduce his rival, he chose to focus on his own accomplishments.