obloquies

Noun

obloquy (countable and uncountable, plural obloquies)

1. Abusive language.
   • It is surprising, therefore, that this philosophy, which, in almost every instance, must be harmless and innocent, should be the subject of so much groundless reproach and obloquy.1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 34

   Synonyms:

   abuse, defamation, insult

2. Disgrace.
   • Her death I could have born, but the death of her honour has added obloquy and shame to that sorrow which bends my grey hairs to the dust!1771, Henry Mackenzie, The Man of Feeling, London: Cassell, published 1886, page 108

   Synonyms:

   opprobrium

3. (archaic) A false accusation; malevolent rumors.
   • It is as cruel as the grave to any man, when he knows his own rectitude of conduct, to have his hard services not only debased and underrated. But the Revolutionary soldiers are not the only people that endure obloquy.1830, Joseph Plumb Martin, “Chapter IX. Campaign of 1783”, in A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents that...

   Synonyms:

   calumny, defamation, libel, aspersion, calumniousness, character assassination, detraction, disparagement, slander, traducement