Synonyms of defamatory

defamatory

adjective

as in libelous

causing or intended to cause unjust injury to a person's good name

defamatory remarks that were published in the newspaper

Synonyms & Similar Words

• libelous
• erroneous
• slanderous
• incorrect
• calumnious
• false
• scandalous
• unfavorable
• inaccurate
• malicious
• untrue
• derogatory
• objectionable
• disparaging
• uncomplimentary
• unflattering
• hateful
• invidious
• inexact
• wrong
• depreciatory
• unsound
• invalid
• denigratory
• spiteful
• malevolent
• depreciative
• off
• denigrative
• detractive
• maligning
• vilifying
• traducing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorable
• appreciative
• complimentary
• factual
• accurate
• true
• correct
• laudatory
• sound
• valid
• eulogistic
• right
• commendatory
• hagiographic
• adulatory
• errorless

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defamatory

Williams, who had filed counterclaims against Baumgarten for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about her and tarnishing her reputation, also voluntarily dismissed her suit at the same time. — Catherine Muccigrosso july 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Charlotte MacInnes has appealed her defeat in a defamation case against Rebel Wilson, challenging the findings that Wilson’s Instagram posts were not defamatory and did not cause serious harm to her reputation. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 July 2026

MacInnes denied ever making such a complaint but Justice Elizabeth Raper of the Federal Court of Australia ruled Wednesday that none of Wilson’s posts were defamatory. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

MacInnes claimed the four posts, published between September 2024 and July 2025, were defamatory or breached her confidence. — Reuters, NBC news, 22 July 2026

But Judge Elizabeth Raper found the posts were not defamatory, and that MacInnes failed to demonstrate the publication caused serious reputational harm. — Alasdair Pal, USA Today, 22 July 2026

However, Trump allies have pushed election theories about a Venezuelan connection for years without proof, and a judge ruled in 2023 that statements made by Fox News personalities about Dominion’s connections to Venezuela were defamatory. — Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2026

His countersuit was dismissed in June 2025, after Liman ruled that Lively's claims could not be considered defamatory. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026

Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is suing Mayor Karen Bass personally, alleging defamatory campaign-trail attacks over the deadly Palisades fire and demanding that Bass pay damages from her own pocket. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026