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
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defaming
Noun
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The remark was a reference to Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the track.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
11 Feb. 2025 -
Gallagher has reportedly already thrown one lawsuit at Banksy for defamation in another case.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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However, his critics have targeted the package, with Republican lawmakers accusing him of spurring inflation.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
8 Jan. 2025
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Investors and customers alike had railed against the deal when it was first announced in August 2023, with the former calling it too expensive and accusing Forward Air of skirting a traditional shareholder vote to carry it out.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The allegations were cemented in a New York Times article — for which Baldoni has filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the outlet — as well as Lively’s Dec. 31 lawsuit against her former costar.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2025
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The situation escalated quickly, with Baldoni responding by filing a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times and later a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and her publicist Leslie Sloane for alleged defamation and civil extortion.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In July, her office led the charge in indicting employees of Radius Recycling – formerly known as Schnitzer Steel – regarding a massive 2023 fire that spewed toxic smoke across the East Bay.—
Jakob Rodgers,
The Mercury News,
9 Oct. 2024
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Following Hamas’s attack, the government has rolled back this campaign by detaining and indicting Arab citizens over their social media posts and preventing Arab antiwar demonstrations.—
Aluf Benn,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Many of the conspiracy theories have prompted FEMA to create a page on its site discrediting rumors and false information about its response to Hurricane Helene.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
14 Oct. 2024
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Still, the United States didn’t recognize Haiti as a nation until 1862, during the Civil War, when American leadership was looking for any support in discrediting slavery.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
10 Oct. 2024
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Thesaurus Entries Near defaming
Cite this Entry
“Defaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defaming. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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