scandalmongering

/ˈskændəlˌmʌŋɡərɪŋ/
noun
  1. The activity of spreading gossip or rumors about the private lives of others, especially to damage their reputation.
    • The newspaper was accused of scandalmongering to increase its sales.
    • His scandalmongering ruined several innocent people's careers.
    • The internet has made scandalmongering easier than ever before.
adjective
  1. Engaging in or characterized by the spreading of gossip or rumors about others' private lives.
    • She wrote a scandalmongering blog post that went viral.
    • The scandalmongering reporter was fired for fabricating stories.
    • The scandalmongering tone of the article upset many readers.