as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of libel
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
Baldoni is suing Lively, Reynolds, and their PR rep for defamation and extortion, as well as the NYT for libel.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Angered by both the initial post and the follow-up, Mann filed a lawsuit against National Review in October of 2012, claiming that both Steyn and Lowry had not only libeled him, but were guilty of the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
Freedman has suggested that Gottlieb was responsible, at least in part, for the bombshell New York Times article regarding Lively’s accusations against Baldoni, who is currently suing the publication for libel and false light invasion of privacy.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
Baldoni is suing Lively, Reynolds, and their PR rep for defamation and extortion, as well as the NYT for libel.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
Luckily for anyone still Christmas shopping, however, the court has continued pressing Giuliani for his assets, which are expected to be sold at auction to pay for a portion of the damages owed to the plaintiffs, whom Giuliani libelled with false claims of election malfeasance.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Angered by both the initial post and the follow-up, Mann filed a lawsuit against National Review in October of 2012, claiming that both Steyn and Lowry had not only libeled him, but were guilty of the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
—The Editors, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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After a federal court dismissed the lawsuit in 2019, Energy Transfer filed a defamation lawsuit in state court.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
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The Tate brothers also have an ongoing defamation lawsuit in the Palm Beach Circuit Court.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There is no music in the teaser, and the only action comes with j-hope stands up and an unseen hand smears his face with white paint as the song’s title pops up on screen.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
19 Mar. 2025
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Now, finally, parents have an ally in the White House—rather than an administration working hand in glove with activist organizations to smear them and chill their political participation.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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James' comments towards Gottlieb come after the college head coach slandered James' son, Lakers rookie guard Bronny James.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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In light of her work, Hickson has been slandered as a pedophile.—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Some former generals involved in martial law decades ago had ended up in prison and been publicly disgraced.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2025
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That until such monsters and secret policemen and fantasists of apartheid, are as abandoned and disgraced as the National Socialists, there will be war.—
Maelle Beauget-Uhl,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While speaking to news outlets, Bianco wrongly accused Miller of plotting to assassinate Trump, defaming him as a result, the complaint says.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
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Daddy Yankee has reportedly filed a $250 million lawsuit against his ex-wife and her sister, alleging the women mismanaged two of his companies and defamed him.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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President Trump on Tuesday escalated his campaign to discredit judges who get in his way, calling on Congress to impeach the judge at the center of a legal fight over the deportation of hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador.—
Brian Bennett,
TIME,
18 Mar. 2025
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More often than not these spins have one end goal: to dismiss or discredit someone or something.—
Lucy Dolan-Zalaznick,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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