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
Stephanie Petit, People.com, 30 July 2025
Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit for libel and slander against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher, two of its reporters, and News Corp founder and former friend Rupert Murdoch.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 July 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
But tensions escalated when Exeter later shared a private message from Jessica, who allegedly alluded to taking legal action for libel.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 30 July 2025
Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit for libel and slander against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher, two of its reporters, and News Corp founder and former friend Rupert Murdoch.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 21 July 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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Rebel Wilson has been accused of defamation by an actress in The Deb, her directorial debut that has become embroiled in a messy legal saga.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
8 Aug. 2025
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At certain times, such conspiratorial thinking and refusal to accept the evidence will become dangerous—people will spin up fantasies that result in acts of defamation or threats of violence.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The trash room’s walls had blood smeared on it, and a pool formed near the chute, according to the report.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
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On Thursday, his lawyers filed a claim for $20 million in damages against the Trump administration, alleging Khalil was falsely imprisoned, maliciously prosecuted and smeared as an antisemite as the government sought to deport him over his prominent role in campus protests.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Despite Donald Trump‘s attempt to slander Gayle King, the CBS Mornings co-host is remaining gracious in her response.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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In addition to being sabotaged on the job, Hughes has also been sued and slandered by groups of horse advocates, and a few individuals in particular.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
31 July 2025
Verb
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There’s a difference between being feared and being disgraced.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Number 48 was Claudine Gay, disgraced plagiarist anti-Semitic ex-president of Harvard University.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, Samantha Markle sued the Duchess of Sussex for allegedly defaming her in multiple interviews, including a 2021 tell-all with Oprah Winfrey.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Topline French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte sued right-wing influencer Candace Owens on Wednesday, claiming Owens defamed the French first lady by repeatedly and falsely claiming she was born a man.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Activists have worked steadily to discredit stories about famine.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
5 Aug. 2025
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During the two-month trial, Combs’ defense attorneys focused much of their efforts on questioning – and attempting to discredit – witnesses brought forth by the prosecution.—
Elizabeth Wagmeister,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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