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
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit against the Times on December 31, 2024.
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Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
The judge also dismissed a libel suit Baldoni filed against the New York Times.
—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Actual malice is the legal standard by which courts determine if someone is liable for libel.
—
Keely Bastow,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
The first and third items in this indictment are indisputable; the second is a complicated and qualified matter; and the last two are libels, still part of popular legend no matter how often disproved by serious biography.
—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit against the Times on December 31, 2024.
—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
The judge also dismissed a libel suit Baldoni filed against the New York Times.
—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Actual malice is the legal standard by which courts determine if someone is liable for libel.
—
Keely Bastow,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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That case requires a public official claiming defamation to prove the defendant knew their statement was false at the time or demonstrated reckless disregard of its falsity, a standard known as actual malice.
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Carroll sued Trump shortly thereafter, accusing him of defamation.
Verb
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The restaurant sources its birotes from Duran’s to make the open-face, bean and cheese-smeared breakfast sandwiches popular throughout Mexico.
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That slows down the process of multiple shockwaves merging into larger ones and allows the atmosphere to weaken the smaller shockwaves to smear out the sharp pressure change into a more gradual increase.
Verb
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Well, to slander their enemies.
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Let evil recoil on those who slander Kendra; in your faithfulness destroy them.
Verb
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Getty Images Six years after disgraced former Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn escaped Japan by private jet, hidden inside an audio equipment case, few expected his name to dominate another Nissan shareholders' meeting.
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Among the guests were Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as the daughters of Sarah Ferguson and disgraced ex-Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
Verb
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Trump separately was found civilly liable by another Manhattan federal court jury for having defamed Carroll.
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In the process of court I have been fragmented, silenced, defamed and traumatized.
Verb
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Instead, they are encouraged to view blue zones primarily through the lens of a sloppy critique that has already been discredited.
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This doesn’t discredit the fact that mental and physical changes from menopause can be disorienting and jarring.
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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