as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the callous defaming of the popular actress by the unscrupulous tabloid reporter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in libeling
to make untrue and harmful statements about
of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accusing
archaic
to make a claim of wrongdoing against
so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defaming
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Trump has continued to attack Carroll even since being ordered to pay millions for defaming her, and Carroll’s attorneys have not ruled out bringing further litigation.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The year before that, Giuliani reached a settlement with the Georgia election workers he’d been charged with defaming.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
The acquisition came after Jones was found guilty multiple times of defaming the families of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, after repeatedly describing the massacre as a hoax.
—Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
One unusual choice presents a climactic murder only in a photo seen decades later, along with articles defaming the victim.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Among election delusion peddlers, Oltmann has distinguished himself by calling for violence and defaming innocent people.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Weeks after the initial complaint was filed in May, Robinson filed a $500 million cross-complaint that accused the plaintiffs and their legal counsel of defaming him at a press conference.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
The jury was allowed to find that Trump would not stop defaming Carroll unless he was hit with a substantial financial penalty, the court continued.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Trump has continued to attack Carroll even since being ordered to pay millions for defaming her, and Carroll’s attorneys have not ruled out bringing further litigation.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
The year before that, Giuliani reached a settlement with the Georgia election workers he’d been charged with defaming.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
The acquisition came after Jones was found guilty multiple times of defaming the families of the children killed in the Sandy Hook shooting, after repeatedly describing the massacre as a hoax.
—Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
One unusual choice presents a climactic murder only in a photo seen decades later, along with articles defaming the victim.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Among election delusion peddlers, Oltmann has distinguished himself by calling for violence and defaming innocent people.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Weeks after the initial complaint was filed in May, Robinson filed a $500 million cross-complaint that accused the plaintiffs and their legal counsel of defaming him at a press conference.
—Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defaming
Noun
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Baldoni responded by filing a civil lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and others, for, among other things, extortion and defamation.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
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Trump, in May, refiled his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the WSJ for publishing the birthday card after his first attempt was thrown out in April.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
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This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
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While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Israel and the United States condemned the move, accusing the court of equating Israeli leaders with Hamas terrorists.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Dwight William Rhone pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder, which include special circumstances allegations accusing him of committing multiple murders, during a brief hearing in Chula Vista Superior Court.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
Noun
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In January, Baldoni — who denies the accusations — filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s allegations, and a $400 million defamation lawsuit against the actress, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane.—
Jami Ganz,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
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This disconnectedness, Carusone said, may contribute to her seeming disregard for libel suits.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
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And slandering council members, who publicly supported Madigan before Khadija Walker was nominated, is disrespectful and insulting.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
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The actor is not one to let homophobic critics get away with slandering his projects.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Natalie Neysa Alund Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez fired back at the Justice Department for indicting Castro on Wednesday, saying the country acted in self defense in the more than three-decade-old killings.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
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The indictment was returned on April 30, indicting Jamie Jones and Christopher Wackerly.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Underneath it, the authors of the flyer listed a few dubious talking points maligning immigrants.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
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Angel went for a respectful middle-of-the-road jab — complimenting her parenting and resilience, but maligning her for being petty.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These films, historians argue, are part of a broader campaign to redefine India’s national identity by elevating its Hindu heritage and vilifying its Muslim past.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Dec. 2025
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Long criticized by Republicans, who have spent millions of dollars on campaign ads vilifying her as a coastal elite and more, Pelosi remained unrivaled.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defaming. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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