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 Onion is taking over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars brand as courts are liquidating the bankrupt far-right talk show host’s companies following the more than $1 billion in defamation judgments against him.
—
Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Within the same month the lawsuit was filed, Robinson filed a $500 million countersuit accusing the former housekeepers of defamation, false light, financial elder abuse, conversion, and invasion of privacy.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
So Patel is 1-1 on defamation lawsuits, right?
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
To investigate the allegations, the company hired Alex Spiro, a lawyer known for aggressively representing Elon Musk — including in defamation cases and litigation related to purchasing Twitter — and Eric Adams when he was charged with corruption.
—Irin Carmon, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
Within the same month the lawsuit was filed, Robinson filed a $500 million countersuit accusing the former housekeepers of defamation, false light, financial elder abuse, conversion, and invasion of privacy.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
So Patel is 1-1 on defamation lawsuits, right?
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
To investigate the allegations, the company hired Alex Spiro, a lawyer known for aggressively representing Elon Musk — including in defamation cases and litigation related to purchasing Twitter — and Eric Adams when he was charged with corruption.
—Irin Carmon, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
-
The essays led to the arrest and trial of the Journal’s publisher, John Peter Zenger, for libel.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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Actual malice is the legal standard by which courts determine if someone is liable for libel.—
Keely Bastow,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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