defame
[dih-feym]
- to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate: The newspaper editorial defamed the politician.
- Archaic. to disgrace; bring dishonor upon.
- Archaic. to accuse.
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Origin of defame
1275–1325; Middle English defamen (< Anglo-French defamer) < Medieval Latin dēfāmāre, by-form of Medieval Latin, Latin diffāmāre (dē- de- for dif-; compare Latin dēfāmātus infamous) to spread the news of, slander, equivalent to dif- dif- + -fāmāre verbal derivative of fāma news, rumor, slander (see fame); replacing Middle English diffamen (< Anglo-French, Old French diffamer) < Medieval Latin, Latin, as above
Synonyms
See more synonyms for defame on Thesaurus.com1. malign, disparage, discredit, vilify, derogate, revile, denigrate, backbite.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for defame
Contemporary Examples
But this is often seen as little more than a way of trying to defame Edward III on the continent.
Mr. Taniguchi allegedly continued to defame her to clients, intimidating them into dropping commercial deals with her.
Sometimes she does it to defame them, other times to make it seem as if they shared her ideology.
Historical Examples
For those who wish to defame you will assert that I am wise, though I am not.
I have done nothing to defame your character, in spite of what has passed.
The Day of JudgmentJoseph Hocking
They not only defame Wilson, but they contend that the part we played in the war has been overestimated.
Idling in ItalyJoseph Collins
On this principle they defame, persecute, and destroy every one who displeases them.
Letters To EugeniaPaul Henri Thiry Holbach
No cruelty must ever defame it, no malice, no gross bitterness!
The Sick-a-Bed LadyEleanor Hallowell Abbott
defame
- to attack the good name or reputation of; slander; libel
- archaic to indict or accuse
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French defamer, from Latin dēfāmāre, from diffāmāre to spread by unfavourable report, from fāma fame
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for defame
v.
c.1300, from Old French defamer (13c., Modern French diffamer), from Medieval Latin defamare, from Latin diffamare "to spread abroad by ill report, make a scandal of," from dis- suggestive of ruination + fama "a report, rumor" (see fame (n.)). Related: Defamed; defaming.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper