Building Your Power of Expression

Scurrilous, adj.

Pronunciation: ‘skaralas

Meaning: This word refers to the making of scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation. Important note: it almost always carries the implication that the attack is not merely harsh but also unfair, abusive, or malicious. It is not ordinarily used for truthful, justified criticism, even if that criticism damages someone’s reputation. The emphasis is on the manner and often the justice of the attack, not simply the fact that someone’s reputation suffers.

Usage:

• “During the campaign, the candidate was subjected to a barrage of scurrilous accusations that were later shown to be completely unfounded.”
• “The magazine refused to publish the article because it consisted largely of scurrilous attacks rather than verifiable facts.”
• “She endured months of scurrilous gossip designed to ruin her standing in the community.”