malicious gossip
malicious rumour BrE
malicious rumor AmE

"And who has been putting about these malicious rumours?"

At age 27, Gerard became the subject of a malicious rumor.

And a warning to those who spread malicious rumours.

There will be no lying, malicious rumors, either.

Why are you spreading malicious rumors about her?

But this may merely have been malicious rumour and we never received any confirmation as to its truth.

The mystery about the identity of this "special security prisoner" sometimes led to malicious rumours among his fellow inmates.

For security reasons, however, Miles is unable to defend himself against the ensuing malicious rumors.

You will be an example to all those who have been spreading malicious rumours about me.

He can't do a decent job of picking up the pieces if he's surrounded by doubt and malicious rumor.