<p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>back·bit, back·bit·ten or (Informal) back·bit; back·bit·ing.</li><li>to attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).</li></ul><p><strong>Synonyms:</strong></p><ul><li>defame</li><li>libel</li><li>slander</li><li>deprecate</li><li>disparage</li><li>belittle</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>back·bit, back·bit·ten or (Informal) back·bit; back·bit·ing.</li><li>to speak unfavorably or slanderously of a person who is not present.</li></ul>