as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the callous defaming of the popular actress by the unscrupulous tabloid reporter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in smearing
to make untrue and harmful statements about
of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accusing
archaic
to make a claim of wrongdoing against
so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defaming
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The Southern Baptist Convention and an independent investigator are not liable for defaming a former SBC president in a historic report on abuse in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, a federal judge ruled Monday.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The claim from former LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley against Bass and the city says that the mayor used her position to absolve herself of responsibility for the fires by defaming Crowley.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
In January 2025, CNN was ordered to pay $5 million in damages for defaming a security contractor in a 2021 story from correspondent Alexander Marquardt that aired during Tapper’s show.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
As both he and the For All The Dogs rapper were under their umbrella, the label did not want one of their acts defaming a fellow signee.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
In 2022, the Duchess of Sussex’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, sued her for allegedly defaming her in multiple interviews, including a 2021 tell-all with Oprah Winfrey.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The Southern Baptist Convention and an independent investigator are not liable for defaming a former SBC president in a historic report on abuse in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, a federal judge ruled Monday.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The claim from former LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley against Bass and the city says that the mayor used her position to absolve herself of responsibility for the fires by defaming Crowley.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
In January 2025, CNN was ordered to pay $5 million in damages for defaming a security contractor in a 2021 story from correspondent Alexander Marquardt that aired during Tapper’s show.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
As both he and the For All The Dogs rapper were under their umbrella, the label did not want one of their acts defaming a fellow signee.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defaming
Noun
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Trump has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report on the letter, for defamation.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Trump has repeatedly denied writing any such letter and is suing the Journal’s parent company, publisher, reporters and owner Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion in a defamation lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trade talks between the two have stalled as Washington has sought to curb India's purchases of Russian oil, while accusing it of protectionist policies in sectors such as agriculture and dairy.—
Priyanka Salve,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
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An anonymous letter was also mailed to local police and federal agencies, accusing individuals of gambling.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Falwell sued for invasion of privacy, libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Harper denied the allegations, and Huizenga filed a libel lawsuit against the former contestant.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Both cases were dismissed last November in line with longstanding Justice Department policy against indicting sitting presidents.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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The court ruled Friday that prosecutors held him in detention too long before indicting him and cited questions about the legality of investigations into the president.—
Sophia Vento,
The Hill,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And slandering council members, who publicly supported Madigan before Khadija Walker was nominated, is disrespectful and insulting.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There is great risk in potentially vilifying one of the most prescribed medications that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved and determined to be safe and effective for the treatment of mental illness, Brendel said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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Sexism and who gets labeled as the 'villain' Love triangles can also lead to vilifying the central love interest.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Further discrediting itself, Thursday’s writeup includes a marketing pitch for the SquareX platform.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
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Wolfenbarger’s defense attorneys began to focus on discrediting Norma as a witness after prosecutors relied on her testimony to show the jury that her daughter Melissa had allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of her husband before her 1998 disappearance, according to WSB-TV.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defaming. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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