To traduce someone means to speak badly about them in a way that damages their reputation, especially by saying things that are false or unfair. When you traduce someone, you're not just criticizing them: you're spreading harmful statements that make others think worse of them.

Imagine a student who spreads a rumor that a classmate cheated on a test, even though it isn't true. That student is traducing their classmate. Politicians sometimes traduce their opponents by twisting their words or exaggerating their mistakes to make them look untrustworthy. A gossiping coworker might traduce someone by claiming they're lazy when they're actually working hard on projects no one sees.

Traduce is stronger than simply criticize or insult. Criticism can be fair and honest. Traducing involves spreading damaging claims that harm someone's good name, whether those claims are lies, half-truths, or mean-spirited exaggerations. It's the kind of attack that can follow someone around and change how others see them, which is what makes it particularly harmful.