as in libel
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
accused the newspaper columnist of defamation of character
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Recent Examples of defamation
The use of obscene or profane language, personal attack, libel, slander, defamation, physical violence or the threat thereof, as determined by the presiding officer, shall constitute a disturbing a lawful meeting.
—
Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Combs has also launched his own defamation countersuit in a separate case involving an accuser who linked him to the murder of Tupac Shakur.
—Amanda Castro
joshua Rhett Miller
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The still Shari Redstone-run Paramount Global announced the settlement figure as $16 million, the same amount that Disney reached in December to resolve a Trump defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2025
The historic report from Guidepost Solutions also led to a defamation lawsuit by Hunt and pushback from some Southern Baptists resistant to certain reform.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
Combs has also launched his own defamation countersuit in a separate case involving an accuser who linked him to the murder of Tupac Shakur.
—Amanda Castro
joshua Rhett Miller
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The still Shari Redstone-run Paramount Global announced the settlement figure as $16 million, the same amount that Disney reached in December to resolve a Trump defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 July 2025
The historic report from Guidepost Solutions also led to a defamation lawsuit by Hunt and pushback from some Southern Baptists resistant to certain reform.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
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After The New York Times ran an investigative story looking into Lively's claims, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the outlet, alleging libel, which The New York Times denied.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
10 June 2025
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On New Year’s Eve, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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