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 lawsuit alleged defamation and unauthorized use of the 53-year-old’s name and likeness in connection with the last two seasons.
—
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Pushback over math education has gotten so heated at times that one company filed a defamation lawsuit against a parent in North Carolina who was openly critical of their curriculum.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
Claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, defamation and breach of confidentiality are included, too.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2025
The Robsons denied that and, in September, countersued Iannaccone for defamation and abuse of the legal process.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Pushback over math education has gotten so heated at times that one company filed a defamation lawsuit against a parent in North Carolina who was openly critical of their curriculum.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
Claims for tortious interference, civil conspiracy, defamation and breach of confidentiality are included, too.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2025
The Robsons denied that and, in September, countersued Iannaccone for defamation and abuse of the legal process.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 25 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 2026.
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