censure; criticism; blame; disparagement; vilification
Refers to verbal condemnation or speaking ill of someone; often used in formal or literary contexts. The word is usually written in kana.
He acted without fear of public censure.
The politician faced criticism from the media.
中傷 specifically means 'slander' or 'defamation', often with malicious intent, whereas そしり can be broader, including justified criticism.
Rare kanji form; 謗 means 'slander' or 'defame'.
Rare kanji form; 誹 also means 'slander' or 'criticize'.
Rare kanji form; 譏 means 'ridicule' or 'censure'.
Derived from the verb そしる (to slander, to criticize). The exact origin of そしる is uncertain, but it may be related to old Japanese roots for speaking or pointing out faults.