What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of slander in a Sentence
She was accused of slandering her former boss.
Recent Examples of slander from the Web
-
The two journalists violated professional ethics and slandered President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, according to the prosecution document.
-
Detained for 7 years without charge by while my children grew up and my name was slandered.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of slander
13th century
slander Synonyms
Synonyms
asperse, blacken, calumniate, defame, libel, malign, smear, traduce, vilifyRelated Words
belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage; discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame; abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate; disdain, scornNear Antonyms
exalt, glorify, honor; acclaim, applaud, commend, praise; esteem, respect; admire, regard; adore, revere, venerate, worshipSynonym Discussion of slander
malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.
-
- the most maligned monarch in British history
-
- so traduced the governor that he was driven from office
-
- both candidates aspersed the other's motives
-
- no criminal was more vilified in the press
-
- falsely calumniated as a traitor
-
- sued them for defaming her reputation
-
- town gossips slandered their good name
Definition of slander
1
:the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
2
:a false and defamatory oral statement about a person — compare libel
Examples of slander in a Sentence
She is being sued for slander.
He was a target of slander.
We've heard countless unsupported slanders about her.
Recent Examples of slander from the Web
-
There is also, Robinson says, an appeal to overturn Knox’s conviction for slander tied to her prosecution for the stabbing murder of her roommate, British student Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy.
-
Michael Bell sued Woods for slander in January, two months after Woods first publicly accused the mayor's brother of corruption at a Birmingham City Council meeting.
-
U.S. District Court judge William Martinez in May cut Mueller's slander allegations, but allowed his tortious interference claim to move torward trial.
-
An Ole Miss clothing store manager suing the stepfather and former Mississippi State player for defamation and slander.
-
A being so gentle and so virtuous, slander might wound but could not dishonor.
-
The happy, fun-loving woman, saddened by the slanders withdrew from the unfriendly eyes of her persecutors.
-
The problem for him is that there was a one-year statute of limitations on slander claims.
-
The judge decides to throw out Mueller's separate slander claims.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of slander
Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal
slander Synonyms
Synonyms
aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, character assassination, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling (or libelling), maligning, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifyingRelated Words
aspersion, innuendo, muck, mud, smear; backbiting, detraction; abuse, invective, vituperation; attack, censure, criticism, denunciation, hatchet job; contempt, disdain, scorn; belittlement, denigration, disparagement; cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousnessNear Antonyms
acclaim, accolade, applause, commendation, praise; esteem, honor, respect; adulation, flattery; adoration, reverence, veneration, worshipOther Legal Terms
SLANDER Defined for English Language Learners
slander
play
verb
Definition of slander for English Language Learners
-
: to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone
slander
noun
Definition of slander for English Language Learners
-
: the act of making a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone
-
: a false spoken statement that is made to cause people to have a bad opinion of someone
SLANDER Defined for Kids
Definition of slander for Students
slandered;
slandering
:to make a false and damaging statement against
Law Dictionary
legal Definition of slander
:to utter slander against
—
slanderer
nounlegal Definition of slander
1
:defamation of a person by unprivileged oral communication made to a third party;
also
:defamatory oral statements
2
:the tort of oral defamation
- sued his former employer for slander
Note:
An action for slander may be brought without alleging and proving special damages if the statements in question have a plainly harmful character, as by imputing to the plaintiff criminal guilt, serious sexual misconduct, or conduct or a characteristic affecting his or her business or profession.
Origin and Etymology of slander
Anglo-French esclandre, from Old French escandle esclandre scandal, from Late Latin scandalum moral stumbling block, disgrace, from Greek skandalon, literally, snare, trap
Learn More about slander
-
See words that rhyme with slander Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slander Spanish Central: Translation of slander Nglish: Translation of slander for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slander for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slander
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up slander? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!