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
Relevance
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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The lawsuit accuses Live Nation, which operates The Pavilion at Star Lake, along with Crossroads Properties and Legends Hospitality, of being negligent, reckless, careless, and liable for the injuries Mollenkopf suffered while at the concert.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026 -
The suit accuses Winters and the other defendants of taking advantage of her loyalty and integrity.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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The five pieces offer, in turn, biomorphic hints of de Kooning, the ragged shapes of Clyfford Still, the bold geometries of Ellsworth Kelly, the paint smears of Gerhard Richter, and something that looks like toothpaste squeezed onto an orange peel.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Israeli court indicts the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini for smuggling tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigarettes into Gaza during the war.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Where Rockwell observed, McNaughton indicts.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Later that season, Eric humiliates Bill in front of their Pierpoint colleagues by insulting his work quality and Bill dies from brain cancer.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
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Thecla humiliates him by ripping his robe and tearing the wreath off his head.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Defames.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defames. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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