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defamation

defamation

40 7.1
To harm someone's reputation by saying untrue things about them in public
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən/
  • Formal
translation icon : difamación
  • You're on the hook for defamation, too.
  • a defamation suit
  • a defamation claim
  • defamation law

Why wouldn't he be pursuing A defamation claim right now?

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Examples

  • We need to sue her, for defamation, false imprisonment, vandalism.

  • "Now, if you still want to sue me for defamation, go right ahead.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I will sue this entire show for defamation of character.

  • The chief launched a defamation suit against Starlight, paid for by the band.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • A. Requests for information relating to former employees can raise potential defamation and invasion of privacy concerns.

    Academic text (1996)
  • She won on charges of defamation, emotional distress, and damaged reputation.

  • Mr. Williamson is suing you for defamation of the character of his wife.

  • And Rappaport sued Barstool for defamation of character.

  • Look, I might feel more sympathy for Rudy if during his defamation trial, he wasn't outside the courthouse doing more defamation.

  • She filed a lawsuit against her former friend for defamation after he spread false rumors about her.

Synonyms

slander
vsdefamation
  • Specialized
44 6.6

A false spoken statement that damages someone's reputation

is the general term covering similar harm whether spoken or written
assassination
vsdefamation
  • Literature
21 7.0

Trying to damage someone's reputation with false or harmful statements

is the common legal and social notion of harming reputation by false statements
smear campaign
vsdefamation
16 5.5

An organized effort to hurt someone's reputation by making false or unfair accusations

is the single act of harming reputation, not necessarily organized or collective
character assassination
vsdefamation
  • Literature
15 7.3

Hurts someone's reputation on purpose by spreading false or harmful stories

is the general act of harming reputation, not only targeted personal campaigns
vilification
vsdefamation
  • Formal
6 8.4

Saying or writing very harsh and unfair things about someone to damage their reputation

focuses on harm to reputation generally rather than on very abusive tone
hatchet job
vsdefamation
  • Literature
5 8.4

A written or spoken attack that unfairly hurts someone's reputation

is the broader meaning of harming reputation rather than one blunt attack
calumny
vsdefamation
  • Formal
4 9.3

A false statement that damages someone's reputation

is the general act of harming reputation by false or malicious statements
malignment
vsdefamation
  • Archaic
9.9

Harmful false statements about someone that damage their reputation

is the broader legal concept that covers such harmful speech
calumniation
vsdefamation
  • Formal
9.9

Telling lies about someone to harm what people think of them

is the wider concept covering any false or malicious reputational attack
traducement
vsdefamation
  • Archaic
9.9

A false statement that harms someone's reputation

is the overall idea of harming reputation by dishonest or harmful statements
blackwash
vsdefamation
9.9

An attempt to damage someone's reputation by making false claims

is the general form of reputational harm without stressing total destruction

Antonyms

161 3.6

A public statement supporting a person, product, or idea

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Damaging

character assassination
  • Literature
15 7.3
libel
  • Specialized
41 7.7
defamation
  • Formal
40 7.1
slander
  • Specialized
44 6.6
gossip
  • Informal
184 1.1
rumor
  • US
853 1.2

Surface Forms

defamation singular
defamations plural

Morphology

defamation = defame (semi-transparent) = de + fame + ation

For learners who know the verb 'defame', the noun 'defamation' is a regular and readily interpretable action noun in '-ation'.

Etymology

Defamation comes from the Latin parts de- and fama, where fama means 'fame' or 'reputation' and de- means 'down' or 'away'. So defamation is like 'bringing someone's fame down' with false or harmful talk, which is why it means harming a person's reputation.