as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of libel
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
In response, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The Times, which was quickly followed by a $400 million defamation and civil extortion suit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
—George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
This group also advises on libel, intellectual property, and other concerns relating to content.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
In response, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The Times, which was quickly followed by a $400 million defamation and civil extortion suit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025
Verb
Luckily for anyone still Christmas shopping, however, the court has continued pressing Giuliani for his assets, which are expected to be sold at auction to pay for a portion of the damages owed to the plaintiffs, whom Giuliani libelled with false claims of election malfeasance.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
—George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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Spacey’s name was cited on a lengthy list of Epstein’s acquaintances and associates, which were released on Jan. 4, 2024 courtesy of unsealed court documents that were part of a 2015 defamation lawsuit against Epstein’s right-hand woman, Ghislaine Maxwell.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey, who Martha was allegedly based on, filed a $170 million lawsuit against Netflix in June 2024, accusing the network of defamation and inaccuracy.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Blood appeared to be smeared across the woman’s nose and mouth and across the sheets, according to court documents.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
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In the video, Adira takes a special liking to the lipstick, smearing it all over her own mouth and chin, while Olympia seemed to be taking her mom’s notes on how to perfect a makeup look.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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While some humans may slander pigs as dirty, messy, lazy animals, others celebrate these intelligent animals that have a long history in agriculture.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 June 2025
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Reed went on to report a series of grievances against the Griffin teachers union and said she’s been slandered and disrespected by the community.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2025
Verb
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And while Scopes got away with paying a $100 fine, about $1,800 in today's dollars, Bryan left the court disgraced.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
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The law school at the University of Florida has disgraced itself.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Late last year, the satirical news source the Onion, along with the Sandy Hook families who Jones defamed, successfully bid on InfoWars to cover the damages.—
Bianca Moreno-Paz,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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Carroll, now 81, accused Trump of attacking her around 1996 in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan, and defaming her in an October 2022 Truth Social post by denying her claim as a hoax.—
Jonathan Stempel,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Verb
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What used to be fringe denialism has evolved into a sophisticated, and increasingly profitable, campaign to discredit science, undermine regulation, and politicize sustainability.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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The Chinese Communist Party has waged a decades-long campaign to discredit the current Dalai Lama and erase his presence from Tibetan life, while tightening restrictions on religious and cultural practices.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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