1
as in libeled
to make untrue and harmful statements about
of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accused
archaic
to make a claim of wrongdoing against
so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 defamed
David Loy, the legal director for the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition, said the measure would censor the free speech of all citizens, not just those who defamed or threatened immigrant aid workers.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
On June 1, a seven-person jury reached a verdict, deciding that Depp proved ex-wife Heard defamed him.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Similar allegations against Roberts-Smith were found credible in a civil court case in 2023 when a judge rejected his claims that newspaper articles defamed him.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
When witnesses are abused and defamed simply for doing their civic duty, their lives are shattered and our entire justice system is put at risk.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Grigsby, who was hired by Hedspeth last year and fired in February, amended her lawsuit Tuesday to further allege Merritt defamed her in conversations with aldermen as Merritt lobbied to be named commissioner.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Baldoni, 42, last year countersued, bringing claims against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging he’d been defamed and extorted and demanding an enormous $400 million in damages.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Pournouri had alleged that a Netflix documentary two years before the 2018 death of the DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, and two posthumously released books defamed him, violating a 2016 agreement that supposedly prevented Bergling from speaking about their partnership.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Those who sue for defamation must prove the statements were factually inaccurate and caused harm to the individuals defamed.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
On June 1, a seven-person jury reached a verdict, deciding that Depp proved ex-wife Heard defamed him.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Similar allegations against Roberts-Smith were found credible in a civil court case in 2023 when a judge rejected his claims that newspaper articles defamed him.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
When witnesses are abused and defamed simply for doing their civic duty, their lives are shattered and our entire justice system is put at risk.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
Grigsby, who was hired by Hedspeth last year and fired in February, amended her lawsuit Tuesday to further allege Merritt defamed her in conversations with aldermen as Merritt lobbied to be named commissioner.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Baldoni, 42, last year countersued, bringing claims against Lively and her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds, alleging he’d been defamed and extorted and demanding an enormous $400 million in damages.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Pournouri had alleged that a Netflix documentary two years before the 2018 death of the DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, and two posthumously released books defamed him, violating a 2016 agreement that supposedly prevented Bergling from speaking about their partnership.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
Those who sue for defamation must prove the statements were factually inaccurate and caused harm to the individuals defamed.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamed
Verb
-
In 2025, another woman accused McGregor of assaulting her in a men’s restroom at the Kaseya Center after Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
The medical providers Cole and Mosley accused denied wrongdoing.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
But the pigment and gum are largely invisible, because harding and Upkett smeared them with white paint used by the Carnegie Museum to cover its walls.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
12 May 2026
-
The Orbánists first ignored them, then smeared them.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
McCray was indicted for manslaughter and principal to felony hazing, and Thurman was indicted for principal to felony hazing and three counts of obstruction of justice.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
She was indicted alongside four other co-conspirators accused in the hacking operation.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Those who don’t get the job leave diminished, sometimes humiliated, and the institution absorbs the damage quietly for years.—
Paul Hardart,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
Blue is officially fired for injecting a patient with an unapproved drug, and in a devastating twist, he is humiliated by and forced to give his badge back to Richard in front of Catherine (Debbie Allen).—
Max Gao,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defamed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamed. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
