defamation

noun

def·​a·​ma·​tion ˌde-fə-ˈmā-shən 

law

: the act of communicating false statements about a person that injure the reputation of that person : the act of defaming another

defamation of character

a defamation lawsuit

also : a communication that defames

repeated the defamation

defamatory

di-ˈfa-mə-tȯr-ē 

dē-

adjective

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.

Synonyms of defamation

• libel
• defaming
• libeling

Examples of defamation in a Sentence

The article was full of lies and defamations.

accused the newspaper columnist of defamation of character

Recent Examples on the Web

The network aggressively defended itself against the defamation lawsuit in New York -- arguing that the company was facing imminent collapse over its own internal misconduct, not because of any negative coverage. —Joshua Goodman The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026

Baldoni has denied her allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, which published the actress’ complaint. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026

In her ruling, Geraghty also found that the lawsuit's claims against two news companies covering the case dealing with defamation were insufficient, dismissing those as well. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

Jonathan and Ana Towns, a married couple who competed in season 37, are suing multiple entities associated with the series for defamation. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see defame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defamation

• anti-defamation

Rhymes for defamation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Legal Definition

defamation

noun

de·​fa·​ma·​tion ˌde-fə-ˈmā-shən 

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