defamation

[ def-uh-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny:

   She sued the magazine for defamation of character.

defamation

/ ˌdɛfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. See slander, libel
   law the injuring of a person's good name or reputation Compare libel slander
2. the act of defaming or state of being defamed

Confusables Note

See slander.

Word History and Origins

Origin of defamation¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English; replacing (by analogy with defame ) Middle English diffamacioun, from Medieval Latin diffāmātiōn- (stem of diffāmātiō ), equivalent to Latin diffāmāt(us) (past participle of diffāmāre; defame ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion )

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement deploring the state GOP for its failure to censure Duke.

From The Daily Beast

Among these are obscenity, defamation, fighting words, express incitement to unlawful conduct, and threats.

From The Daily Beast

She later sued Eminem for defamation over the violent song and the case was settled out of court.

From The Daily Beast

One of the suits against Kelley charged her with defamation for calling Miller an “intimacy stalker” in her LiveJournal page.

From The Daily Beast

One researcher, in defense of the animals, even sued Disney for defamation (PDF) of character.

From The Daily Beast

The issue in an action for defamation is not the character of the plaintiff, but the wrongfulness of the particular statement.

From Project Gutenberg

Another bill carried this session made some alterations in the law relating to defamation and libel.

From Project Gutenberg

Gossip in all its moods and tenses, from the vague indicative of mere innuendo, to the full subjunctive of open defamation!

From Project Gutenberg

I do not know that any law-proceedings were afterwards taken against him for defamation of character.

From Project Gutenberg

There he found Anthony Panton continuing his campaign of defamation against him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• denigration
• disparagement