verb
defame
dih-FAYM
Defame (verb) means to damage someone's reputation by making false or malicious statements about them. Example: “The article defamed the mayor with baseless claims of corruption.”
verb
1
To damage someone's reputation by making false or malicious statements about them.
"The article defamed the mayor with baseless claims of corruption."
"He sued the blogger for defaming him online."
How to use defame
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hurt someone's reputation by spreading false claims about them.
Common pairings
defame someone
accused of defaming
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Word forms
- Plural
- defames
- Third person singular
- defames
- Past tense
- defamed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The article _____ the mayor with baseless claims of corruption.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman defamer, from Latin diffāmō, built from fāma ("reputation, rumour") — the same root that gives us "fame."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for defame
See all rhymes for defame →Frequently asked questions
What does “defame” mean?
The word “defame” means to damage someone's reputation by making false or malicious statements about them. In plain terms, to hurt someone's reputation by spreading false claims about them.
How do you pronounce “defame”?
“Defame” is pronounced dih-FAYM (/dɪˈfeɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “defame” in a sentence?
Here is “defame” used in a sentence: “The article defamed the mayor with baseless claims of corruption.”
What is another word for “defame”?
Words with a similar meaning to “defame” include assassinate, asperse, backbite, badmouth, befoul and belibel.
What is the opposite of “defame”?
The opposite of “defame” — its antonyms — are flatter, praise and stand up for.
What part of speech is “defame”?
“Defame” is a verb.
Where does the word “defame” come from?
The word “defame” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman defamer, from Latin diffāmō, built from fāma ("reputation, rumour") — the same root that gives us "fame.".
