DEFAMING Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

defaming 1 of 2

noun

as in defamation

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation the callous defaming of the popular actress by the unscrupulous tabloid reporter

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defaming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of defame

as in libeling

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

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as in accusing

archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

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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 defaming

Verb

Rebel Wilson was found not liable of defaming a young actress who played the starring role in her directorial debut, The Deb. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026 The jury found Basabe liable for defaming both Frevola and his mother via the Twitter post but only awarded damages to the son. — Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 The president sued the Times last year, accusing it of defaming him, disparaging his reputation and seeking to undermine his 2024 candidacy. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026 The jury was allowed to find that Trump would not stop defaming Carroll unless he was hit with a substantial financial penalty, the court continued. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 2 June 2026 Trump has continued to attack Carroll even since being ordered to pay millions for defaming her, and Carroll’s attorneys have not ruled out bringing further litigation. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 Orbán’s rule was marked by a sprawling media ecosystem, which for years served as a loyal mouthpiece for his Fidesz party while discrediting, defaming and intimidating his opponents. — ABC News, 18 May 2026 One unusual choice presents a climactic murder only in a photo seen decades later, along with articles defaming the victim. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Among election delusion peddlers, Oltmann has distinguished himself by calling for violence and defaming innocent people. — Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defaming

Noun

But if it is altered, selectively edited, or shared with false context to damage someone’s reputation, legal issues such as defamation or invasion of privacy may arise.

— Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
He was sued for defamation by voting machine companies — including one case that was settled.

— Dana Ferguson, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of defamation

Verb

At the entrance of Kollparay, Quispe pauses, taking my hands and smearing them with soil—the soil of her village.

— Paola Miglio, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 June 2026

Definition of smearing

Verb

Baela calls her out on this, accusing her of simply using people as tools, and Baela and her dragon are confined to the Red Keep.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Robert Carradine's family is suing over his suicide, accusing a University of California Los Angeles facility of failing to prevent his death.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of accusing

Noun

His contempt for the Jewish state of Israel will lead our city right into a libel suit worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
In response, Baldoni — and nine other plaintiffs, including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel — sued the newspaper for libel and false light invasion of privacy, among other claims, over the article, and sought $250 million in damages.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

Definition of libel

Verb

Now Washington has sharply escalated tensions by indicting the 94-year-old former Cuban president, Raúl Castro (brother of Fidel).

— Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 22 May 2026
Natalie Neysa Alund Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez fired back at the Justice Department for indicting Castro on Wednesday, saying the country acted in self defense in the more than three-decade-old killings.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 May 2026

Definition of indicting

Verb

Policymakers defend draconian cuts to Medicaid by maligning the work ethic or honesty of low-income women, despite substantial evidence to the contrary.

— Jocelyn Frye, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Underneath it, the authors of the flyer listed a few dubious talking points maligning immigrants.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of maligning

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“Defaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defaming. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of defaming

noun

verb

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