defamation

noun
UK: /ˌdefəˈmeɪʃən/
US: /dɪˌfæˈmeɪʃən/

  1. The action of damaging someone's good reputation by saying or writing bad things about them that are not true.

    1. That's defamation and I could sue you.
    2. He sued the newspaper for defamation of character after they printed false allegations.

  2. False and unjustified statements or actions that harm someone's reputation.

    1. She is suing them for defamation.
    2. The company threatened legal action, citing defamation and intellectual property theft.

Synonyms

libel slander vilification

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "defamation" in English means: The action of damaging someone's good reputation by saying or writing bad things about them that are not true., False and unjustified statements or actions that harm someone's reputation..

The phonetic transcription of "defamation" is /ˌdefəˈmeɪʃən/ in British English and /dɪˌfæˈmeɪʃən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "defamation": libel, slander, vilification.

Example usage of "defamation": "That's defamation and I could sue you.". More examples on the page.