defamatory
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- defamatorily adverb
- nondefamatory adjective
- undefamatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of defamatory
First recorded in 1585–95; from Medieval Latin diffāmātōrius, equivalent to Latin diffāmā(re) ( 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.
To accuse them falsely of passing AI-generated work as their own is potentially defamatory.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The Israeli Supreme Court upheld a ban on the film in 2022, deeming it "defamatory".
From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025
They said she "entirely denies the defamatory and unfounded criticism of her".
From BBC • Dec. 16, 2025
“The unprecedented decision by the Board to place Villanueva on a ‘Do Not Hire’ was the result of a defamatory charge of discrimination and harassment,” the former sheriff wrote in the June complaint.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025
The implied infatuation and credulity of a generation which could be roused to such barbarity by such insignificant causes is a most defamatory impeachment of the sagacity, manhood, and humaneness of our forefathers.
From Witchcraft of New England Explained by Modern Spiritualism by Putnam, Allen
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.
