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
In 2020, Hubbard sued several student activists for defamation, accusing them of damaging his academic reputation and mental wellbeing in their campaign for his removal from campus.
—
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Baldoni had sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation, as sued The New York Times over its coverage of Lively’s claims.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Wallace, who has in turn sued her for defamation, denies this.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
The speech and debate clause, under Article 1, Section 6, of the Constitution, gives these members immunity from liability for defamation when reading the list of names aloud in court.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Baldoni had sued Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation, as sued The New York Times over its coverage of Lively’s claims.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Wallace, who has in turn sued her for defamation, denies this.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
The speech and debate clause, under Article 1, Section 6, of the Constitution, gives these members immunity from liability for defamation when reading the list of names aloud in court.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
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Second-year associate Babcock won the appeal, a landmark ruling that established qualified First Amendment privilege for reporters in civil libel cases.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Kennedy's attorneys are claiming defamation both in the form of libel and slander, and are alleging civil conspiracy to make false accusations, along with assault, battery, and more.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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