defamation

noun
def·a·ma·tion ˌde-fə-ˈmā-shən 
Synonyms of defamation
law
: the act of communicating false statements about a person that
injure the reputation of that person : the act
of defaming another : CALUMNY
defamation of character
a defamation lawsuit
defamatory 
di-ˈfa-mə-tȯr-ē 
dē-
 adjective

Did you know?

Harming someone's reputation in speech with falsehoods is
known as slander, and doing the same thing in writing is known as
libel (which sometimes includes speech as well). Any ordinary
citizen who can claim to have suffered harm as a result of such
defamation may sue. So why aren't politicians suing all the time?
Because an exception is made for "public persons" (a category
that includes most other celebrities as well), who must also prove
that any such statement was made with "reckless disregard for
the truth". And although, even by that standard, public persons
are defamed all the time, most of them have decided that it's better
to just grin and bear it.

Synonyms

aspersing

blackening

calumniation

calumny

character assassination

defaming

libel

libeling

libelling

maligning

slander

smearing

traducing

vilification

vilifying
See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Example Sentences
The article was full of lies and defamations.accused the newspaper
columnist of defamation of character
Recent Examples on the WebThe movie marks Depp’s return to
acting after a three-year hiatus following his long legal battles with
ex-wife Amber Heard, which culminated in a U.S. defamation trial won
by Depp. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 May 2023Johnny Depp made his
—

first public appearance since his defamation trial against ex-wife

Amber Heard at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, where his
historical drama Jeanne du Barry opened the prestigious fest. Jessica —

Wang, EW.com, 16 May 2023Jeanne Du Barry, the French-language film

directed by and starring Maïwenn, features Depp, 59, as King Louis
XV and serves as the Oscar nominee's return to movies one year
after his controversial defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. —

Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 16 May 2023See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate
current usage of the word 'defamation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not
represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback  about these
examples.

Word History
Etymology
see DEFAME

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defamation was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing defamation
 anti-defamation

Articles Related to defamation

The Words of the Week - Oct. 7

Trending: 'Defamation': Johnny...

Dictionary Entries Near defamation

defalk
defamation
defame
See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

Style
                                                                                                                         
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defamation.
Accessed 24 May. 2023.
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Legal Definition

defamation
noun
de·fa·ma·tion ˌde-fə-ˈmā-shən 
1
: communication to third parties of false statements about a person
that injure the reputation of or deter others from associating with
that person see also LIBEL, SLANDER, NEW YORK TIMES CO. V.
SULLIVAN compare DISPARAGEMENT, FALSE LIGHT, SLANDER OF
TITLE
2
: a defamatory communication
every repetition of the defamation is a publication W. L. Prosser and W.
—

P. Keeton

More from Merriam-Webster on defamation

Nglish: Translation of  defamation for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of  defamation for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about  defamation
Last Updated: 23 May 2023 - Updated example sentences
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