1
as in to libel
to make untrue and harmful statements about
of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accuse
archaic
to make a claim of wrongdoing against
so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of defame
The comedian is being sued by Dr. Brian Morley, a physician and healthcare official who alleges he was defamed in a 2024 episode of Last Week Tonight that criticized his former employer, AmeriHealth Caritas.
—
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Charges under the laws, which forbid defaming, insulting or threatening royalty, carry a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years.
—John Yoon, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Baldoni adamantly denied her claims, filing a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and a separate $400 million claim against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging the couple defamed and extorted him.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit alleges that DHS and FEMA publicly disclosed information about her
termination that was protected under the Privacy Act and that she was defamed by the false portrayal about her conduct.
—Maurice Dubois, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defame
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Charges under the laws, which forbid defaming, insulting or threatening royalty, carry a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years.
—John Yoon, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Baldoni adamantly denied her claims, filing a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and a separate $400 million claim against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging the couple defamed and extorted him.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit alleges that DHS and FEMA publicly disclosed information about her
termination that was protected under the Privacy Act and that she was defamed by the false portrayal about her conduct.
—Maurice Dubois, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame
Verb
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In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
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As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.—
George Pendle,
airmail.news,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
15 May 2025
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In January, Baldoni accused Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, of civil extortion, defamation and more in a $400 million lawsuit, which mentioned Swift.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, and the mop cleans without sloshing and smearing water on the floor.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
23 Apr. 2025
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The chance to get a bit dirty comes one floor below the restaurant, with a spa offering massages, facials and soon a mud room with muds from around the world for guests to smear on themselves while perched on seats heated to 98 degrees.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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An Oklahoma grand jury indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child in March.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2025
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Since the indictment: Since Stines was indicted, Bartley, his defense attorney, has made several motions on his behalf.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Verb
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In a display of brute aggression, cartel operatives humiliated Mexican officials by forcing the government to release Mr. Guzmán López shortly after he was captured.—
Alan Feuer,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
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But in Trump’s White House, the goal may be simpler—and harder: not getting humiliated.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 May 2025
Verb
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Crucially, this emerging capability to emulate human thought–like behaviors does not confirm or discredit chatbot consciousness.—
Susan Schneider,
Scientific American,
1 May 2025
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Ministers accuse him of politically motivated investigations designed to discredit the government.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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