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
Kim BellwareNetflix 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
Winston ChoExamples of anti-SLAPP law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
But a 2022 change expanding Arizona's anti-SLAPP law to apply in criminal cases — the only state to do so — opened the door to examining prosecutorial motives.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The pair succeeded by through the use of California's anti-SLAPP laws, which include protections against retaliatory legal action.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
The Times is also seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Wayfarer, citing New York’s anti-SLAPP law.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, sought to throw out the suit under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect free speech from frivolous litigation.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
The bill will likely include language akin to Colorado’s and other states’ anti-SLAPP laws, Crow said.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
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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
But a 2022 change expanding Arizona's anti-SLAPP law to apply in criminal cases — the only state to do so — opened the door to examining prosecutorial motives.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The pair succeeded by through the use of California's anti-SLAPP laws, which include protections against retaliatory legal action.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
The Times is also seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Wayfarer, citing New York’s anti-SLAPP law.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
Costner’s lawyer, Marty Singer, sought to throw out the suit under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to protect free speech from frivolous litigation.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
The bill will likely include language akin to Colorado’s and other states’ anti-SLAPP laws, Crow said.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anti-SLAPP law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-SLAPP%20law. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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