defame

verb

di-ˈfām How to pronounce defame (audio)
Definition of defamenext
1
as in to libel
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accuse
archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defame differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse, calumniate, malign, slander, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could asperse be used to replace defame?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is it sensible to use calumniate instead of defame?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

Where would malign be a reasonable alternative to defame?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can slander take the place of defame?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of defame?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When would vilify be a good substitute for defame?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defame 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 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 That offense—defaming the Italian government, parliament, courts, or army—carries a fine of up to €5,000 ($5,240) and is subject to direct summons to trial. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2025 Last March, arbitrator Jeffrey Mishkin awarded McDonough $2.96 million for his finding that the Cardinals defamed him through Counterpoint Strategies and other public relations specialists. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame
  1. libel
  2. accuse
  3. smear
  4. indict
  5. humiliate
  6. discredit
Verb
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    — George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
    — Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of libel
Verb
  • But they were accused of wanting a national ID card.
    — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Trump accused of attacking legal system Trump moved against WilmerHale only hours before that firm went to court Friday morning.
    — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of accuse
Verb
  • Martin and a companion on April 27, 2023, entered the Washington, DC, museum and smeared washable red and black paint on the case protecting Edgar Degas’s 1881 Little Dancer Aged Fourteen in an effort to bring attention to the climate crisis.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Timothy Martin smeared red and black paint on a case shielding a nearly 150-year-old sculpture by Edgar Degas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of smear
Verb
  • Trump and 18 co-defendants were indicted in Fulton County in August 2023.
    — Charlotte Kramon, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • On May 10, 2022, Nathan was criminally indicted in the murder of his mother, Linda.
    — Audrey Karnan, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of indict
Verb
  • Trump World even humiliated Abe by letting it be known that Abe had nominated the U.S. leader for a Nobel Peace Prize.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The temptation for Russia to humiliate London and Paris - by breaking any ceasefire with an attack carried out hundreds of miles away from British and French troops stuck in the capital - could prove hard to resist.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • His tariffs were not based on the import taxes charged by other countries but by the size of each trade deficit, a calculation that instantly discredited the policy with many economists and investors.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Bolsonaro’s efforts to discredit the election had already found allies abroad.
    — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of discredit

Browse Nearby Words

defamatory
defame
defamed
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Cite this Entry

“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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