slander

²slander

noun

Definition of SLANDER

1

: the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation

2

: a false and defamatory oral statement about a person — compare libel

— slan·der·ous \-d(ə-)rəs\ adjective

— slan·der·ous·ly adverb

— slan·der·ous·ness noun

Examples of SLANDER

1. She is being sued for slander.
2. He was a target of slander.
3. We've heard countless unsupported slanders about her.

Origin of SLANDER

Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SLANDER

Synonyms: aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling (or libelling), maligning, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifying

Related Words: aspersion, innuendo, muck, mud, smear; backbiting, detraction; abuse, invective, vituperation; attack, censure, criticism, denunciation, hatchet job; contempt, disdain, scorn; belittlement, denigration, disparagement; cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness

Near Antonyms: acclaim, accolade, applause, commendation, praise; esteem, honor, respect; adulation, flattery; adoration, reverence, veneration, worship

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi