defamation
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.”
How to use defamation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaying or writing false things that harm someone's reputation.
Spoken defamation is technically called "slander," and written defamation "libel" — "defamation" is the umbrella legal term covering both.
Word forms
defamations plural
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
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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.