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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accused
archaic
to make a claim of wrongdoing against
so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of defamed
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
Seitz said the men had assaulted him, and that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and deputies had violated his civil rights, inflicted emotional stress, defamed him and conspired to keep the matter quiet.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 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
Despite his prolific acting career, Bakri’s documentary Jenin, Jenin was perhaps his highest profile project internationally, in part because of accusations that the film defamed Israeli soldiers.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that Lindell defamed the election technology company Smartmatic, falsely claiming that its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election, which was won by former President Joe Biden.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
In September, a Minnesota federal judge ruled that Lindell had defamed election technology company Smartmatic by saying its voting machines helped rig the 2020 election, the Associated Press reported.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025
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
Seitz said the men had assaulted him, and that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and deputies had violated his civil rights, inflicted emotional stress, defamed him and conspired to keep the matter quiet.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 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
Despite his prolific acting career, Bakri’s documentary Jenin, Jenin was perhaps his highest profile project internationally, in part because of accusations that the film defamed Israeli soldiers.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that Lindell defamed the election technology company Smartmatic, falsely claiming that its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election, which was won by former President Joe Biden.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
In September, a Minnesota federal judge ruled that Lindell had defamed election technology company Smartmatic by saying its voting machines helped rig the 2020 election, the Associated Press reported.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamed
Verb
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Although the father wasn't told of the outcome, the older child accused of the abuse was removed from that foster program, according to the lawsuit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The father, whom Seth does not know, accused him of taking pics of his teenager.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the men smeared our foreheads with sandalwood paste, vermilion, and rice.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
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On one visit, the pizza was smeared in a creamy, garlicky white sauce with a smattering of roasted broccoli.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tarsem Singh, an Indian national, was recently indicted on vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide charges, according to DHS.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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Hedrick, who lived down the street from Miller at the time of her disappearance, would eventually be named a suspect in other deaths, but was never indicted.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Rockies have been humiliated before in their first home game, but never as badly as this.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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The leadership of the country that has threatened the stability and prosperity of the world will eventually be ousted, disempowered and humiliated.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
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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 12 Apr. 2026.
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