defamed; defaming
1
law
: to harm the reputation of by communicating false statements about : to harm the reputation of by libel (see libel entry 1 sense 2a) or slander (see slander entry 2 sense 2)
defamed her character
2
archaic
: accuse
defamed of witchcraft
3
archaic
: disgrace
defamer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of defame in a Sentence
He says he was defamed by reports that falsely identified him as a former gangster.
of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so
Recent Examples on the Web
In response, Baldoni first sued the New York Times — which first reported Lively’s CRD complaint — alleging that the paper had worked with Lively’s team, taking the text messages out of context in order to defame him.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
More from Axios: Rudy Giuliani held in contempt of court over Georgia defamation case
Rudy Giuliani ordered to hand over penthouse to defamed Georgia election workers
Georgia election workers ask federal judge to hold Rudy Giuliani in contempt
Want more stories like this?
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025
Rudy Giuliani is set to appear in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom Friday as a federal judge considers a request from two Georgia election workers to hold the former New York City mayor in contempt for allegedly continuing to defame them in violation of a court order.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2025
House Democrats responded Monday, accusing Republicans of defaming Cheney and other witnesses.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defame 
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Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
More from Axios: Rudy Giuliani held in contempt of court over Georgia defamation case
Rudy Giuliani ordered to hand over penthouse to defamed Georgia election workers
Georgia election workers ask federal judge to hold Rudy Giuliani in contempt
Want more stories like this?
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025
Rudy Giuliani is set to appear in a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom Friday as a federal judge considers a request from two Georgia election workers to hold the former New York City mayor in contempt for allegedly continuing to defame them in violation of a court order.
—Robert Legare, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2025
House Democrats responded Monday, accusing Republicans of defaming Cheney and other witnesses.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for defame
Articles Related to defame
Dictionary Entries Near defame
Cite this Entry
“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defame. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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Legal Definition
defame
transitive verb
de·fame
di-ˈfām 
defamed; defaming
: to make the subject of defamation
defamer
noun
Etymology
Medieval Latin defamare, alteration of Latin diffamare to spread news of, defame, from dis-, prefix marking dispersal or removal + fama reputation
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