anti-SLAPP law

noun

an·​ti-SLAPP law ˌan-tē-ˈslap- 

ˌan-tī-

plural anti-SLAPP laws

: a law intended to prevent SLAPP suits

Ken Paulson, who directs the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, said anti-SLAPP laws are like "free-speech insurance." "The key to an anti-SLAPP law is to prevent people with a lot of money and resources from intimidating people from saying anything negative about them," he said.

—Kim Bellware

Netflix moved to dismiss the lawsuit under California's anti-SLAPP law, which allows for the early dismissal of lawsuits intended to chill free speech.

—Winston Cho

Examples of anti-SLAPP law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The judge disagreed, finding Norwood did not qualify for protection under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which is intended to quickly dismiss lawsuits targeting free speech that are not likely to prevail. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

But Texas’ anti-SLAPP law does not apply in federal court, so the judge rejected Figliuzzi’s request to make Patel cover his legal costs. — Chris Brennan, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026

While ruling on the key question of defamation in Figliuzzi's favor, the judge denied his request that he be awarded court costs and attorneys' fees under Texas' anti-SLAPP law. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

The judge, though, ruled that Figliuzzi was unable to recover attorneys fees and costs under Texas’ anti-SLAPP law. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anti-SLAPP law

• avoirdupois
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada