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

Before his sentencing, Kim apologized for slandering North Korea's leadership, collecting and passing confidential information to South Korea, and joining a smear campaign against the North's human rights situation. — Los Angeles Times Staff Reporting, latimes.com, "A look at the 3 Americans released by North Korea," 9 May 2018 Beijing was quick to respond, urging Washington to stop slandering China and claiming that the Chinese government does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs. — Fox News, "China, Russia take their turn at the UN," 28 Sep. 2018 The kind that makes other victims not want to speak out over fears of their character or their work will be slandered. — Michael Arceneaux, Glamour, "If We Want Men to Be a Part of #MeToo, We Have to Stop Gendering the Movement," 27 Aug. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The psychological, emotional and financial bullying included a slander campaign in the media that left my entire family reeling in shock and disbelief. — Fox News, "Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand's full victim impact statement to the court about her experience," 26 Sep. 2018 Even before social media made slander user-friendly, a woman’s reputation could be destroyed with a single cruel rumor or photo. — Susanna Schrobsdorff, Time, "When the Barrier Between Personal Misconduct and Professional Competence Crumbles," 15 Feb. 2018 In March 2014, Gibson sued ESF and Staples for breach of contract, wrongful termination, and slander. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "“He never paid us a cent”—man suing Tesla has his own lawsuit-filled past," 31 Oct. 2018 Bolsonaro will still have to stand trial for accusations of slander and incitation to rape. — Mauricio Savarese, Fox News, "Brazilian court spares far-right candidate from racism trial," 12 Sep. 2018 Think of Lucrezia Borgia, traduced by slander and gossip, and of Isabella d’Este, greedy for art. — Sarah Dunant, New York Times, "Who Was Vittoria Colonna? Just One of Italy’s Great Poets...," 1 June 2018 To invoke a legal term, this is a slander, and many at this point resent it. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "High Noon for Judge Kavanaugh," 3 Oct. 2018 Second thing, accusing someone of gang rape is slander, per se. — Fox News, "Kavanaugh denies assault allegations in Fox News interview," 25 Sep. 2018 Bolsonaro will still have to stand trial for accusations of slander and incitation to rape. — Mauricio Savarese, The Seattle Times, "Brazilian court spares far-right candidate from racism trial," 11 Sep. 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.

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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