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 charity, Sentebale, lodged a defamation claim in March at the High Court against Harry and Mark Dyer, a trustee and one of Harry's close friends, according to court record obtained by Reuters on Friday, April 10.
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USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
In the latest bruising to the British Royal family, Prince Harry has been named in a defamation lawsuit in the UK by a charity that the second son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, co-founded 20 years ago.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Baldoni’s own $400 million defamation claims against her camp and $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times have been tossed.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The remarks prompted a defamation lawsuit from the Macrons in July.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defamation
USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
In the latest bruising to the British Royal family, Prince Harry has been named in a defamation lawsuit in the UK by a charity that the second son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, co-founded 20 years ago.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2026
Baldoni’s own $400 million defamation claims against her camp and $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times have been tossed.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The remarks prompted a defamation lawsuit from the Macrons in July.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
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Online filings show Harry and his friend, Mark Dyer, a former trustee at the charity, are being sued for either libel or slander.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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The court record shows Harry and Dyer, a former Sentebale trustee, are being sued for libel and slander.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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