noun
Uncommon
defamation
deh-fuh-MAY-shuhn
Defamation (noun) means the act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements, spoken or written. Example: “The newspaper faced a defamation lawsuit over the false accusations.”
noun
1
The act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements, spoken or written.
"The newspaper faced a defamation lawsuit over the false accusations."
"Spreading that rumour about her could count as defamation."
How to use defamation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaying or writing false things that harm someone's reputation.
Common mistake
Spoken defamation is technically called "slander," and written defamation "libel" — "defamation" is the umbrella legal term covering both.
Common pairings
defamation lawsuit
sue for defamation
defamation of character
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Word forms
- Plural
- defamations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The newspaper faced a _____ lawsuit over the false accusations.
Etymology
From Old French diffamacion, from Latin diffāmātiō, built on the same root as "defame."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for defamation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for defamation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “defamation” mean?
The word “defamation” means the act of damaging someone's reputation through false statements, spoken or written. In plain terms, saying or writing false things that harm someone's reputation.
How do you pronounce “defamation”?
“Defamation” is pronounced deh-fuh-MAY-shuhn (/ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “defamation” in a sentence?
Here is “defamation” used in a sentence: “The newspaper faced a defamation lawsuit over the false accusations.”
What part of speech is “defamation”?
“Defamation” is a noun.
Where does the word “defamation” come from?
The word “defamation” comes from Latin. From Old French diffamacion, from Latin diffāmātiō, built on the same root as "defame.".
Is “defamation” a common word?
“Defamation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
