slander 1 of 2

slander

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb slander differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of slander are asperse, calumniate, defame, malign, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

Where would asperse be a reasonable alternative to slander?

The synonyms asperse and slander are sometimes interchangeable, but asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is calumniate a more appropriate choice than slander?

The words calumniate and slander can be used in similar contexts, but calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

When would defame be a good substitute for slander?

The words defame and slander are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When is it sensible to use malign instead of slander?

While the synonyms malign and slander are close in meaning, malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.

the most maligned monarch in British history

In what contexts can traduce take the place of slander?

The meanings of traduce and slander largely overlap; however, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When might vilify be a better fit than slander?

In some situations, the words vilify and slander are roughly equivalent. However, vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.

no criminal was more vilified in the press

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 slander
Noun
Trump filed a slander lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owner, media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 19 July 2025 Knox, remains convicted of slander for accusing her former nightclub boss Patrick Lumumba of Kercher’s murder in 2007. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Verb
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 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 See All Example Sentences for slander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander
Noun
  • Trump appears to be the first sitting President or Presidential nominee in American history to sue for libel or defamation.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Now Trump has filed a 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.
    USA Today, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slander. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slander

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