defame
verb (used with object)
to attack the good name or reputation of, as by uttering or publishing maliciously or falsely anything injurious; slander or libel; calumniate.
had defamed
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past perfectof defame.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Bryant filed a lawsuit in July against Mississippi Today, saying the online news organization had defamed him in its coverage of welfare misspending that officials say occurred from 2016 to 2019.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 28, 2024
After a six-week trial, a jury found in June 2022 that Heard had defamed her former husband in a Washington Post opinion piece and acted with malice by casting him as a domestic abuser.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2023
During the hearing, Mr. Chanchai detailed how Ms. Puttanee’s Twitter posts had defamed his company.
From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2023
Purnesh Modi in his complaint alleged that the comments had defamed the entire Modi community.
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2023
Actions were brought against persons who had defamed the Duke of York and damages tantamount to a sentence of perpetual imprisonment were demanded by the plaintiff, and without difficulty obtained.
From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1 by Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay
