as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of libel
Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit against the Times on December 31, 2024.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
The first and third items in this indictment are indisputable; the second is a complicated and qualified matter; and the last two are libels, still part of popular legend no matter how often disproved by serious biography.
—Thomas Mallon, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit against the Times on December 31, 2024.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Verb
Please ask your daughter to stop libeling Miss Manners.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
-
Ashley failed to prove defamation, as there was no evidence Adam knowingly made false statements or that her reputation was harmed by the private complaint.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Griffin filed a federal defamation lawsuit in Nevada on Monday, June 15, saying her middle school classmate Joleene Altum made false allegations against Griffin, according to documents obtained obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Over in the next aisle, Gifty Anderson, who typically buys bales from Canada and the United Kingdom, held up a dress smeared with body makeup and tossed it aside without a second thought.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Well, to slander their enemies.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Let evil recoil on those who slander Kendra; in your faithfulness destroy them.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Among the guests were Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and disgraced ex-Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
8 June 2026
-
Pelley charged the new management, under Bari Weiss, with conduct that would disgrace any self-respecting news organization, disparage its staff’s integrity and force people with uncompromising principles to leave.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
In her lawsuit, Theodat alleged that the Herald’s reporting of public lawsuits against her and the commission’s investigation of her, and her ultimate termination — that were matters of public interest – defamed her.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 June 2026
-
Tyra Banks has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, claiming she was defamed in the recent America’s Next Top Model docuseries Reality Check.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
20 June 2026
-
This doesn’t discredit the fact that mental and physical changes from menopause can be disorienting and jarring.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
