slander

verb

slan·der | \ˈslan-dər

slandered; slandering\ˈslan-d(ə-)riŋ

Definition of slander

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to utter slander against : defame

slander

noun

Definition of slander (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from slander Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about slander

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Other Words from slander

Verb

slanderer \ˈslan-dər-ər

\ noun

Noun

slanderous \ˈslan-d(ə-)rəs

\ adjective

slanderously adverb

slanderousness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for slander

Verb

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 traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim. so traduced the governor that he was driven from office asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction. both candidates aspersed the other's motives vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. no criminal was more vilified in the press calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions. falsely calumniated as a traitor defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name. sued them for defaming her reputation slander stresses the suffering of the victim. town gossips slandered their good name

Examples of slander in a Sentence

Verb

She was accused of slandering her former boss.

Noun

She is being sued for slander. He was a target of slander. We've heard countless unsupported slanders about her.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Its popular news app Jinri Toutiao came under investigation in June for having a comic’s video on its site that allegedly slandered a different Chinese war hero. — Liza Lin, WSJ, "China Bans Ads on Booming Video App," 10 July 2018 Several were charged with mocking or slandering the Islamic State. — Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, "The Case of the Purloined Poultry: How ISIS Prosecuted Petty Crime," 1 July 2018 God’s mercy and justice on those who have blasphemed God’s Holy Name, those who slander and bear false witness, and those who commit murder or justify murder as a means for fighting criminality in our country. — Jake Maxwell Watts, WSJ, "Clash Between Duterte and Catholic Church in Philippines Intensifies," 9 July 2018 God’s mercy and justice on those who have blasphemed God’s holy name, those who slander and bear false witness and those who commit murder or justify murder as a means for fighting criminality. — Jim Gomez, The Seattle Times, "Bishops call for 3-day fasting after Duterte says God stupid," 9 July 2018 The former business manager for Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin said Tuesday she's being unfairly defamed in a lawsuit accusing her along with two of his children of misusing his credit cards and slandering him. — Mike Schneider, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Buzz Aldrin's former business manager says she's being defamed in lawsuit," 26 June 2018 Looking at the suburbs, therefore, provides a way of understanding a vast segment of the public without the need to endorse or slander their homes. — Anthony Alofsin, The Atlantic, "A Defense of the Suburbs," 6 June 2018 Up until recently, any attempt to slander their names in international media would have felt random. — Connie Wang, refinery29.com, "Inside The Fake News Campaign To Smear Russia's Biggest Fashion Influencers," 6 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Those claims amounted to slander and libel, the lawsuit says. — Dustin Gardiner, azcentral, "Former Arizona Rep. Don Shooter sued for slander by accuser, Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita," 15 June 2018 But that doesn’t give her, or any other progressive, carte blanche to slander Ivanka Trump. — Christine M. Flowers, Philly.com, "Name-calling other women makes Samantha Bee the other C-word: Classless | Christine Flowers," 1 June 2018 The notices accuse Williamson of slander, disorderly conduct, harassment and insubordination, among other charges. — Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, "North Shore firefighter under investigation after filing complaints against chief," 8 Jan. 2018 At 9:03 Eastern, the left is going to be in the process of trying to smear, besmirch, slander, destroy the character of whoever the president picks. — Fox News, "Senate fight awaits Trump's Supreme Court pick," 10 July 2018 Circuit Court Judge Paul Felix dismissed ITM’s lawsuit against Noblesville alleging defamation and slander, restraint of trade and tortuous interference when the city refused to renew terms of a lease agreement to stay at its longtime 10-acre home. — John Tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "Judge orders train museum out of Noblesville home by July 12," 29 June 2018 The University of Missouri has settled the civil lawsuit for defamation and slander that South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley brought against Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk. — Aaron Reiss, kansascity, "Mizzou AD Jim Sterk, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley settle defamation lawsuit | The Kansas City Star," 24 May 2018 Sadly, this is just the latest incident in a disturbing trend to slander conservatives. — Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, "Google blasted by top Republican for linking California Republican Party with Nazism," 31 May 2018 These dumbfounding slanders, delivered by Joseph McCarthy on the floor of the Senate in the summer of 1951, are well and deservedly forgotten. — James D. Hornfischer, WSJ, "‘The China Mission’ Review: The Man Who ‘Lost’ China," 3 May 2018

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.

History and Etymology for slander

Noun

Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Anglo-French esclandre, alteration of escandle, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense — more at scandal

Noun

Anglo-French esclandre, from Old French escandle esclandre scandal, from Late Latin scandalum moral stumbling block, disgrace, from Greek skandalon, literally, snare, trap

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Time Traveler for slander

The first known use of slander was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for slander

slander

verb

English Language Learners Definition of slander

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone

slander

noun

English Language Learners Definition of slander (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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

See the full definition for slander in the English Language Learners Dictionary

slander

verb

slan·der | \ˈslan-dər

slandered; slandering

Kids Definition of slander

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make a false and damaging statement against

slander

noun

Kids Definition of slander (Entry 2 of 2)

: a false statement that damages another person's reputation

slander

transitive verb

slan·der | \ˈslan-dər

Legal Definition of slander

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to utter slander against

slander

noun

Legal Definition of slander (Entry 2 of 2)

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 — compare defamation, false light, libel

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.

Other Words from slander

slanderous \ˈslan-də-rəs

\ adjective

slanderously adverb

slanderousness noun

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