Definition of libel
1a : a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or the relief soughtb archaic : a handbill especially attacking or defaming someone
2a : a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impressionb (1) : a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt (2) : defamation of a person by written or representational means (3) : the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures (4) : the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel
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Examples of libel in a Sentence
To meet the Supreme Court's definition of libel involving a public figure, a quotation must not only be made up or materially altered. It must also defame the person quoted, and damage his or her reputation or livelihood … —Jane Gross, New York Times, 5 June 1993
It is relevant to note that in 1987 the suit against Ms. Malcolm was dismissed … in a narrow ruling that stated that even if the quotations were “false and mischievous,” Ms. Malcolm's alterations did not represent malicious intent and therefore did not constitute libel. —Fred W. Friendly, New York Times Book Review, 25 Feb. 1990
The above is not only a flat lie but a political libel which may possibly damage me. Publish it at your peril … —Bernard Shaw, letter, 16 Sept. 1949
In their tiresome addiction to this use of alleged, the newspapers, though having mainly in mind the danger of libel suits, can urge in further justification the lack of any other single word that exactly expresses their meaning; but the fact that a mud-puddle supplies the shortest route is not a compelling reason for walking through it. —Ambrose Bierce, Write It Right, 1909
He sued the newspaper for libel.
The newspaper was found guilty of libel.
The newspaper's attorneys argued that the article was not a libel.
Origin and Etymology of libel
Middle English, written declaration, from Anglo-French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber book
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Legal Terms
Definition of libel
libeled
orlibelled
;libeling
orlibelling
play \ˈlī-b(ə-)liŋ\Examples of libel in a Sentence
And in Oklahoma last year, lawyers filed a class-action suit against a group supporting tort reform, saying they had libeled trial lawyers. —Judith Miller, New York Times, 11 June 1996
Government officials, he observed, were public servants who remained accountable to the people and therefore could not be libeled for their performance in office. —Leonard W. Levy, Emergence of a Free Press, 1985
The jury found that the article libeled him.
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Origin and Etymology of libel
see 1libel
First Known Use: 1588
Other Legal Terms
LIBEL Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of libel for English Language Learners
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: the act of publishing a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone
Definition of libel for English Language Learners
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: to write and publish a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of (someone)
LIBEL Defined for Kids
Definition of libel for Students
: the publication of a false statement that hurts a person's reputation
Definition of libel for Students
libeled
orlibelled
;libeling
orlibelling
: to hurt a person's reputation by publishing a false statement
libeler
orlibeller
nounLaw Dictionary
Legal Definition of libel
1 : complaint 1 —used especially in admiralty and divorce cases
2a : a defamatory statement or representation especially in the form of written or printed words; specifically : a false published statement that injures an individual's reputation (as in business) or otherwise exposes him or her to public contempt b : the publication of such a libel c : the crime or tort of publishing a libel — see also single publication rule, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan — compare defamation, slander
Additional Notes on libel
Although libel is defined under state case law or statute, the U.S. Supreme Court has enumerated some First Amendment protections that apply to matters of public concern. In New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, the Court held that in order to recover damages a public person (as a celebrity or politician) who alleges libel (as by a newspaper) has to prove that “the statement was made with ‘actual malice’ — that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not” in order to recover damages. The Court has also held that the states cannot allow a private person to recover damages for libel against a media defendant without a showing of fault (as negligence) on the defendant's part. These protections do not apply to matters that are not of public concern (as an individual's credit report) and that are not published by a member of the mass media. A libel plaintiff must generally establish that the alleged libel refers to him or her specifically, that it was published to others, and that some injury (as to reputation) occurred that gives him or her a right to recover damages (as actual, general, presumed, or special damages). The defendant may plead and establish the truth of the statements as a defense. Criminal libel may have additional elements, as in tending to provoke a breach of peace or in blackening the memory of someone who is dead, and may not have to be published to someone other than the person libeled.
Origin and Etymology of libel
Anglo-French, from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber book
libel
Legal Definition of libel
libeled
alsolibelled
libeling
alsolibelling
1 : to make or publish a libel against : to hurt the reputation of by libel respondent's complaint alleged that he had been libeled by statements in a full-page advertisement — New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964)
2 : to proceed against in law by filing a libel (as against a ship or goods) several French ships were libeled in Boston — J. K. Owens
Learn More about libel
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See words that rhyme with libel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for libel Spanish Central: Translation of libel Nglish: Translation of libel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of libel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about libel
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