slander

verb

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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

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 Reddit can slander my name but when the truth comes out….. — Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 While the campaign to slander FDR’s intraparty antagonist started to unfold, the president was trying to protect one of his closest advisers from the same charge. — James Kirchick, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 The station broadcast across the Midwest, and Baker used its considerable reach, along with a print publication, to promote his cure, slander his personal enemies, and denigrate the mainstream medical establishment. — The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2022 As an obvious first element, there must be a statement, which can either be in writing (libel) or spoken (slander). — Schuyler Moore, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Or a person who knows how fast rumors spread on social media and decides not to slander someone on Facebook or Twitter or TikTok, whatever that is. — Beth Thames | Bethmthames@gmail.com, al, 27 Apr. 2022 In attempting to slander her, Republican senators may also have done damage in the broader area of criminal-justice reform, dismissing all notions of judicial discretion and proportionality, let alone rehabilitation. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2022 And the same pundits and politicians who have spent two years attempting to ostracize and slander anyone who opposed their mandates are now deeply upset by some gentle prodding. — David Harsanyi, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022 But Kalb wasn’t the only cheftestant to slander queso’s good name. — Lauren Mcdowell, Chron, 10 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Eight of Swords: Victimization, anxiety, being caught in the mind and causing unnecessary suffering, your thoughts are out of control, embarrassment, slander. — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 19 July 2022 Few would dispute that the two presidents bookending Abraham Lincoln were among our worst, but lumping in Harding with Buchanan and Johnson borders on slander. — WSJ, 6 July 2022 The unprovoked slander of Black women in the media is astounding – especially surrounding our looks. — Shelby Denise Smith, Essence, 9 June 2022 In 2016 -- before he was elected to the County Commission -- Eaton was one of four community activists the landfill’s previous owners sued for libel and slander, seeking $30 million in damages. — Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 13 Jan. 2022 According to WalletHub, umbrella insurance also covers a wide range of scenarios such as libel and slander, false arrest, personal psychological harm and mental anguish, and malicious prosecution. — Hiranmayi Srinivasan, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2021 One alleges slander and false statements made by Becerra, his family and friends made on social media. — Annie Blanks, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Mar. 2022 These days Twitter is largely a festival of lies and self-referential light slander coated with a bunch of crazy anonymous people threatening to kill your dog. — Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 One alleges slander and false statements made by Becerra, his family and friends. — Annie Blanks, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2022 See More

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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Dictionary Entries Near slander

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slander

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Last Updated

25 Jul 2022

Cite this Entry

“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slander. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for slander

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

History and Etymology for slander

Noun

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