defame
- 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
Synonyms for defame
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for defame
disparage, disgrace, scandalize, smear, malign, denigrate, discredit, vilify, besmirch, blister, knock, blacken, traduce, detract, stigmatize, dishonor, asperse, vituperate, belie, slamExamples 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.
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 of defame
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
Word Origin for defame
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.