defamation

noun
def·a·ma·tion ˌ de-f ə - ˈ mā-sh ə n  
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- ˈ fa-m ə -t ȯ r-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 2023 Johnny 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 2023 Jeanne 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 2023 See 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 ˌ de-f ə - ˈ mā-sh ə n  
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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