1
as in libels
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 accuses
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defames
Verb
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Israel accuses Hamas over hostage bodies Israeli defense minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of failing to uphold its commitments under the agreement, after the militant group's armed wing said only four of the 28 hostage bodies still in Gaza would be returned on Monday.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025 -
Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield star in the film about a college professor (Roberts) who finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when her mentee (Edebiri) accuses a friend and colleague (Garfield) of crossing a line.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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South Korea reportedly indicts its former prime minister.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
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There’s always a moment in which somebody humiliates the villain and now all the love in him is gone.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Defames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defames. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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