as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of libel
Stephanie Petit, People.com, 30 July 2025
Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit for libel and slander against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher, two of its reporters, and News Corp founder and former friend Rupert Murdoch.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
But tensions escalated when Exeter later shared a private message from Jessica, who allegedly alluded to taking legal action for libel.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 30 July 2025
Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit for libel and slander against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher, two of its reporters, and News Corp founder and former friend Rupert Murdoch.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Verb
Luckily for anyone still Christmas shopping, however, the court has continued pressing Giuliani for his assets, which are expected to be sold at auction to pay for a portion of the damages owed to the plaintiffs, whom Giuliani libelled with false claims of election malfeasance.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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Hunt's defamation lawsuit against SBC and Guidepost two years ago ushered in a referendum on Southern Baptists' support for funding abuse response and confidence in Guidepost's investigation.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
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But the judge went on to dismiss that claim, too, finding it isn’t permitted in defamation cases and that Mace was protected anyway by the U.S. Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Priscilla has, in turn, smeared Kruse and Fialko with false lies and malicious campaigns.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Plastic faded the blonde color of butter with age and the lettering smeared away, big thumbprint smearing a lilac hollow through the violet plastic of the power button.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Despite Donald Trump‘s attempt to slander Gayle King, the CBS Mornings co-host is remaining gracious in her response.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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In addition to being sabotaged on the job, Hughes has also been sued and slandered by groups of horse advocates, and a few individuals in particular.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Terrorists masquerading as journalists disgrace the profession & put real war correspondents in mortal danger.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
27 Aug. 2025
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Today, the camp is no longer disgraced, having recently regained its liquor license after a century; hence, letting Wandawega kick up her heels and raise some hell once again.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Those found guilty of criticizing, insulting, defaming or threatening the king, queen, or heir apparent can be jailed for between three and 15 years for each count, with some sentences stretching to 50 years.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
21 Aug. 2025
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The claim from former LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley against Bass and the city says that the mayor used her position to absolve herself of responsibility for the fires by defaming Crowley.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But the Newsom administration has tried to discredit that estimate since the independent auditor published the report last week.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Right-wing Channel 14 has devoted coverage in recent weeks to discrediting some reports of starving children.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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