The best replacement for gossip is slander.

The best alternatives to gossip are rated as following:
★★★★★  slander
★★★  rumor
★★★  concern
★★★  venting
★★★  news
★★  gospel
★★  rumors
★  rumour
★  chatter
★  conversation
★  hearsay
★  paxos
  defamation
  bad gossip
  rumours
  talk
  grapevine

Your alternative for gossip is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about gossip, one probably shouldn't forget about lainey.

Other search terms related to gossip and their ratings are:
★★★★★ lainey
You have in mind a companion for gossip and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of gossip in all years. Click on graph for more.
gossip
slander
rumor