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
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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
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Recent Examples of libel
Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Kennedy's attorneys are claiming defamation both in the form of libel and slander, and are alleging civil conspiracy to make false accusations, along with assault, battery, and more.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
Second-year associate Babcock won the appeal, a landmark ruling that established qualified First Amendment privilege for reporters in civil libel cases.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Kennedy's attorneys are claiming defamation both in the form of libel and slander, and are alleging civil conspiracy to make false accusations, along with assault, battery, and more.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Please ask your daughter to stop libeling Miss Manners.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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The president, or his companies, has also sued Capital One over debanking claims; media outlets over alleged defamation; and even the IRS over the leak of his tax information.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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But the jury found Greenpeace USA liable on all counts, including defamation, conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and tortious interference.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Grainy mustard smeared on a chunk of corned beef is delicious too.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
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This helps remove dirt, dust, skin cells, pet hair, and other debris that could otherwise smear during the wet cleaning.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People tried to murder him, incarcerate him, slander him.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Now, the ultimate question of whether Walters slandered Miller will return to the district court.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mandelson, known for his ability to spin stories and reënter the fold, has been disgraced before.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
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More Epstein fallout At least six more co-conspirators may be in a trove of documents related to disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to two House members who've pushed for their release.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Seitz said the men had assaulted him, and that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and deputies had violated his civil rights, inflicted emotional stress, defamed him and conspired to keep the matter quiet.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Kill, defame and blame the victims, block investigations and take no responsibility.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The defense argues these lines of inquiry were unrelated to the felony charges and intended to discredit the protesters’ political beliefs.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
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All four men were subjected to police interrogation techniques that are now widely discredited for leading to false confessions.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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