Definition of defamation
law
Explore M-W
Examples of defamation in a Sentence
The article was full of lies and defamations.
accused the newspaper columnist of defamation of character
Recent Examples of defamation from the Web
-
While finding that a number of facts remain in dispute, Bledsoe dismissed Hopkins’ defamation claims and Michael Waltrip Racing’s counterclaims accusing Hopkins of stealing pit crew tools and misappropriating trade secrets about one of the tools.
-
A judge in the defamation case between Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and multi-billionaire Alisher Usmanov on Tuesday struck down motions to summon Russia’s prime minister to testify on his alleged wealth — the key issue in the case.
-
Hearings have opened in the defamation case between Russian opposition leader Navalny and multi-billionaire Usmanov.
-
Over a month later, on Friday, Bernstein filed court documents at L.A. Superior Court suing LaBeouf for defamation, slander and assault, and seeking damages of $5 million, according to papers obtained by THR.
-
In March, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Richard Strauss ruled against Issa in a $10 million defamation lawsuit the Vista Republican filed against Applegate as well as Applegate’s committee and campaign manager.
-
When a man dies, the right to take someone to court for defamation of his character dies with him — leaving little recourse for families like that of Seth Rich.
-
The landmark ruling could have wide-ranging implications for publishers and Internet sites that post articles in the 190 nations that allow defamation cases, media analysts said.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defamation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Harming someone's reputation in speech with falsehoods is known as slander, and doing the same thing in writing is known as libel (which sometimes includes speech as well). Any ordinary citizen who can claim to have suffered harm as a result of such defamation may sue. So why aren't politicians suing all the time? Because an exception is made for "public persons" (a category that includes most other celebrities as well), who must also prove that any such statement was made with "reckless disregard for the truth". And although, even by that standard, public persons are defamed all the time, most of them have decided that it's better to just grin and bear it.
Origin and Etymology of defamation
see defame
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Legal Terms
DEFAMATION Defined for English Language Learners
defamation
playDefinition of defamation for English Language Learners
-
: the act of saying false things in order to make people have a bad opinion of someone or something : the act of defaming someone or something
Law Dictionary
defamation
playLegal Definition of defamation
1 : communication to third parties of false statements about a person that injure the reputation of or deter others from associating with that person — see also libel, slander, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan — compare disparagement, false light, slander of title
2 : a defamatory communication every repetition of the defamation is a publication — W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
Learn More about defamation
-
See words that rhyme with defamation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for defamation Spanish Central: Translation of defamation Nglish: Translation of defamation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of defamation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defamation
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up defamation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!