defamatory
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of defamatory
First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin diffāmātōrius, equivalent to Latin diffāmā(re) ( see defame) + -tōrious -tory 1
Explanation
Defamatory is a word used to describe statements that are untrue, slanderous, or libelous. Defamatory language often consists of harmful lies. Defamatory words — that is, words which defame — are words that can cause real damage. If someone said you were a secret unicorn hunter, that would be a silly, not defamatory, lie. If someone said you were a thief or a traitor, and you weren't, that would be defamatory. Public figures, like celebrities and politicians, are especially sensitive to defamatory statements about them.
Vocabulary lists containing defamatory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Robinson was in prison at the time for repeating defamatory statements about a Syrian teenager, against court orders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
Faith Kates' lawyer told us in a statement that any claim her client had any knowledge or involvement in Epstein's purported trafficking is false and defamatory.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
The DPS letter said inaccurate information recorded about Lorraine on police systems had been shared with others and defamatory information about her was passed by a third party to her GP.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Becerra’s campaign called the ad defamatory in a cease and desist letter sent to the Steyer campaign on Saturday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026
Nor was it by Mary herself alone, that a direct contradiction was given to the defamatory accusations of the regent and his associates.
From Life of Mary Queen of Scots, Volume II (of 2) by Henry Glassford Bell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
