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Synonyms
malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of.
malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.
traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.
asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.
vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.
calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.
defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.
slander stresses the suffering of the victim.
Examples of slander in a Sentence
Word History
Noun
Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal entry 1
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slander. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
slander
1 of 2 nounslander
2 of 2 verbLegal Definition
slander
2 of 2 nounNote: An action for slander may be brought without alleging and proving special damages if the statements in question have a plainly harmful character, as by imputing to the plaintiff criminal guilt, serious sexual misconduct, or conduct or a characteristic affecting his or her business or profession.
Noun
Anglo-French esclandre, from Old French escandle, esclandre scandal, from Late Latin scandalum moral stumbling block, disgrace, from Greek skandalon, literally, snare, trap
More from Merriam-Webster on slander
Nglish: Translation of slander for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of slander for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slander
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