as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the callous defaming of the popular actress by the unscrupulous tabloid reporter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in smearing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accusing
archaic
to make a claim of wrongdoing against
so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defaming
Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
For decades, bartenders have been defaming the Mai Tai, debasing it, making and selling versions of the drink that were childish and incomplex, saccharine and flat.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Particle has also accused Epic of defaming the company and interfering in its business relations.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, the Duchess of Sussex’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, sued her for allegedly defaming her in multiple interviews, including a 2021 tell-all with Oprah Winfrey.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The Southern Baptist Convention and an independent investigator are not liable for defaming a former SBC president in a historic report on abuse in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, a federal judge ruled Monday.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The claim from former LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley against Bass and the city says that the mayor used her position to absolve herself of responsibility for the fires by defaming Crowley.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
The filing points to two specific instances as evidence of Ray J defaming members of the famous family.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
For decades, bartenders have been defaming the Mai Tai, debasing it, making and selling versions of the drink that were childish and incomplex, saccharine and flat.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Particle has also accused Epic of defaming the company and interfering in its business relations.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, the Duchess of Sussex’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, sued her for allegedly defaming her in multiple interviews, including a 2021 tell-all with Oprah Winfrey.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations.
—Dan Gooding
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The Southern Baptist Convention and an independent investigator are not liable for defaming a former SBC president in a historic report on abuse in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, a federal judge ruled Monday.
—Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
The claim from former LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley against Bass and the city says that the mayor used her position to absolve herself of responsibility for the fires by defaming Crowley.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defaming
Noun
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The latter defendant has already stood trial alongside Rey in September 2024 on defamation charges brought by Brigitte Macron and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Atkinson sued Noll for defamation but lost the suit.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The little brother is still contentedly working on his painting, dipping his brush into his pots and then smearing it across the paper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
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This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the years since that race, Gaines has established herself as an unofficial face of conservative attacks on the NCAA, joining a March 2024 lawsuit accusing the association of violating Title IX by allowing trans athletes to compete.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The election was triggered in June when Wilders abruptly withdrew support from the governing coalition, accusing his partners of blocking his proposal to halt all asylum migration.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Just look at the amounts that news organizations are paying for libel insurance.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Jim talked me through the legal complexities of both Peltier’s case and the libel suits.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That investigation produced criminal charges that Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped last November, citing the Justice Department’s policy against indicting a sitting president.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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Detectives continued working the case for years, and in 2022, arrested Shannon Robinson, as well as another individual, but a grand jury didn’t end up indicting them at the time, Sheriff Tim Soignet said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And slandering council members, who publicly supported Madigan before Khadija Walker was nominated, is disrespectful and insulting.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Defense attorneys have also decried violations of fair-trial rights, saying that the prosecutor in the cases has sought to influence the jury pool by maligning those charged.—
LAUREN CARASIK,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Feb. 2017
Verb
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The only way to stop this erosion is to remember what unites us, while seeking common ground, without vilifying the other side.—
Mark Waller,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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There is great risk in potentially vilifying one of the most prescribed medications that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved and determined to be safe and effective for the treatment of mental illness, Brendel said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defaming. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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