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
Writing for the court, Justice William Brennan held that public officials cannot prevail in defamation lawsuits merely by showing that statements are false.
—
Stephanie A, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2025
Harris' reemergence into public life comes after CBS canceled Colbert's show earlier this month following its parent company, Paramount Global's, controversial $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump after a defamation lawsuit.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Gottwald denied those claims and filed a countersuit for defamation and breach of contract against Kesha.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Trump asked a judge to order News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch to testify immediately in his defamation lawsuit over the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, with the president citing the 94-year-old media mogul’s age to justify the request.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Stephanie A, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2025
Harris' reemergence into public life comes after CBS canceled Colbert's show earlier this month following its parent company, Paramount Global's, controversial $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump after a defamation lawsuit.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Gottwald denied those claims and filed a countersuit for defamation and breach of contract against Kesha.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Trump asked a judge to order News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch to testify immediately in his defamation lawsuit over the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, with the president citing the 94-year-old media mogul’s age to justify the request.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
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Trump appears to be the first sitting President or Presidential nominee in American history to sue for libel or defamation.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
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Now Trump has filed a 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.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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