defamation

[ def-uh-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny:

   She sued the magazine for defamation of character.

defamation

/ ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. law the injuring of a person's good name or reputation Compare libel slander
2. the act of defaming or state of being defamed

Confusables Note

See slander.

Word History and Origins

Origin of defamation¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English; replacing (by analogy with defame ) Middle English diffamacioun, from Medieval Latin diffāmātiōn- (stem of diffāmātiō ), equivalent to Latin diffāmāt(us) (past participle of diffāmāre; defame ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion )

Example Sentences

They were too afraid and intimidated, or they thought they wouldn’t be believed, or they thought Trump would sue them for defamation if they told anyone.

From Salon

Jones was found guilty of defamation in 2022 by juries in Texas and Connecticut.

From Los Angeles Times

"The report was never published widely, conscious of the dangers of a defamation suit," Coltart said.

From BBC

Worse, it is a subtle form of victim-blaming, as it implies that the targets of defamation can make it stop by responding with gentleness instead of anger.

From Salon

The radio host conspiracist was ordered to liquidate that platform to pay off part of a massive defamation judgment against him for smearing the families of Sandy Hook school shooting victims repeatedly.

From Salon

Related Words

• denigration
• disparagement