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 More politics news: A federal jury found MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed a former Dominion Voting Systems employee after the 2020 election. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 17 June 2025 Lindell’s legal team denied their client defamed Coomer and tried to distance him from statements broadcast on FrankSpeech. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025 In the end, the court determined that Heard and Depp had defamed each other, but Heard was ordered to pay a larger amount. Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 The suit says Coomer was defamed by Lindell and suffered severe emotional and physical distress as a result. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 2 June 2025 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
  • That was followed days later by a very public falling out between Musk and Trump, with the billionaire accusing the president of being linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2025
  • Remy Ma found herself in a heated exchange outside a Queens courthouse on Tuesday (June 24), with the daughter of the victim that her son, Jayson, is accused of murdering.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Baldoni’s countersuit, accusing her of smearing him, was dismissed last week.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 June 2025
  • In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Malik Blanchard, 24, of Roselawn was indicted June 11 on murder charges in the death of Treasure Thomas, 22, on June 9 and the death of Jayshaun Cornelius, 17, on June 3.
    Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 11 July 2025
  • He was indicted on charges of murder, tampering with evidence, extreme cruelty to animals, escaping from the custody of an officer and criminal damage to property, officials said.
    Paloma Chavez July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Then two of his classmates did something magical. 'And I was humiliated again' The story Griffin started to tell began in first grade just after his family moved from one part of his suburban New York town to another, and Griffin was the new kid in school.
    Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Why risk thousands of dollars to be humiliated and possibly denied entry?
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • That terrifying consequence alone is sufficient to discredit the executive order.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025
  • And for that, I was met with silence, deflection, and efforts to discredit me.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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