as in libel
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
accused the newspaper columnist of defamation of character
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Recent Examples of defamation
The email was included in discovery in connection with a defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, against Maxwell, for calling Giuffre a liar.
—
Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
His separate $250 million defamation suit against The New York Times was also thrown out the same day.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Michael Sánchez denied this and sued for defamation.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
Wallace himself filed a defamation lawsuit against Lively earlier this year.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
His separate $250 million defamation suit against The New York Times was also thrown out the same day.
—Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Michael Sánchez denied this and sued for defamation.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
Wallace himself filed a defamation lawsuit against Lively earlier this year.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
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Earlier in December, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, over its explosive story detailing her alleged treatment on set.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
3 Nov. 2025
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Steve Coogan has settled a libel claim over 2022’s The Lost King after a university academic sued over his depiction in the film.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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