defame

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defame differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse, calumniate, malign, slander, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could asperse be used to replace defame?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is it sensible to use calumniate instead of defame?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

Where would malign be a reasonable alternative to defame?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can slander take the place of defame?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of defame?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When would vilify be a good substitute for defame?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defame In January 2025, CNN was ordered to pay $5 million in damages for defaming a security contractor in a 2021 story from correspondent Alexander Marquardt that aired during Tapper’s show. Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025 In 2022, Samantha Markle sued the Duchess of Sussex for allegedly defaming her in multiple interviews, including a 2021 tell-all with Oprah Winfrey. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025 Topline French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte sued right-wing influencer Candace Owens on Wednesday, claiming Owens defamed the French first lady by repeatedly and falsely claiming she was born a man. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 And for those that have been trying to defame me with those false stories, the truth will be coming. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for defame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame
Verb
  • In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In corroborating much of the testimony Pentagon intelligence official David Grusch offered in July 2023, Elizondo also accused the Department of Defense of hiding its UFO programs from Congress while misappropriating funds to operate them.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The charges of reckless endangerment of children are because Reed is accused of firing a gun in a parking lot where children were present, North Richland Hills police spokesperson Carissa Katekaru said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rubbing will smear the mud and cause a bigger problem.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Jason’s windshield was smeared, and the late-afternoon sunlight came through hazily.
    Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Burns was indicted by a grand jury in Fayetteville in November and pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography in February, according to court documents.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
  • In 2010, out of about 162,000 cases prosecuted in federal courts, grand juries did not indict 11 defendants, according to a FiveThirtyEight report published in 2014, citing the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And Sacks, a PayPal Mafia member and veteran Silicon Valley investor, is just the sort of titan of industry this town routinely devours and humiliates — from Rex Tillerson to, well, Elon Musk.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • And whether the Carolina Panthers are just stuck in an endless loop of embarrassment, one that alternately humiliates and enrages their fans.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • About two hours later, the US Air Force dropped military flares in the sky, with rumors stating this was an attempt to cover up and discredit the UFO incident that occurred earlier in the evening.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Eventually, however, Lowell’s ideas were discredited—Schiaparelli, once an ally, renounced them—and the world moved on.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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