defame

[dih-feym]

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verb (used with object), de·famed, de·fam·ing.

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.

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

Related formsde·fam·er, nounde·fam·ing·ly, adverbun·de·famed, adjectiveun·de·fam·ing, adjective

Can be confuseddefame libel slander

Synonyms for defame

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1. malign, disparage, discredit, vilify, derogate, revile, denigrate, backbite.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for defame

disparage, disgrace, scandalize, smear, malign, denigrate, discredit, vilify, besmirch, blister, knock, blacken, traduce, detract, stigmatize, dishonor, asperse, vituperate, belie, slam

Examples from the Web for defame

Contemporary Examples of defame

But this is often seen as little more than a way of trying to defame Edward III on the continent.
The Sex Life of King Richard III's Randy Great Great Great Grandfather
Tom Sykes
December 4, 2014
Mr. Taniguchi allegedly continued to defame her to clients, intimidating them into dropping commercial deals with her.
Japan’s Miss International Takes on Mob-Backed Entertainment Complex
Jake Adelstein
December 18, 2013
Sometimes she does it to defame them, other times to make it seem as if they shared her ideology.
How Palin Flunks Feminism
Michelle Goldberg
November 26, 2010

Historical Examples of defame

For those who wish to defame you will assert that I am wise, though I am not.
Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates
Plato
I have done nothing to defame your character, in spite of what has passed.
The Day of Judgment
Joseph Hocking
They not only defame Wilson, but they contend that the part we played in the war has been overestimated.
Idling in Italy
Joseph Collins
On this principle they defame, persecute, and destroy every one who displeases them.
Letters To Eugenia
Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
No cruelty must ever defame it, no malice, no gross bitterness!
The Sick-a-Bed Lady
Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for defame

defame

verb (tr)

to attack the good name or reputation of; slander; libel
archaic to indict or accuse

Derived Formsdefamer, noun

Word Origin for defame

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for defame

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.