Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

slander

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of slander

the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
  • Instead of resorting to slander, the candidates should be outlining their plans for the future.
Synonyms of slander

aspersing, blackening, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling (or libelling), maligning, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifying
Words Related to slander

aspersion, innuendo, smear

backbiting, detraction

abuse, invective, vituperation

attack, censure, criticism, denunciation

contempt, disdain, scorn

belittlement, denigration, disparagement

hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
Near Antonyms of slander

acclaim, accolade, applause, commendation, praise

esteem, honor, respect

adulation, flattery

adoration, reverence, veneration, worship

slander

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of slander

to make untrue and harmful statements about
  • For some reason, that newspaper seems determined to slander one particular celebrity.
Synonyms of slander

asperse, blacken, defame, libel, malign, smear, traduce, vilify
Words Related to slander

belittle, denigrate, detract, disparage

discredit, disgrace, dishonor, shame

abase, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate

disdain, scorn
Near Antonyms of slander

exalt, glorify, honor

acclaim, applaud, commend, praise

esteem, respect

admire, regard

adore, revere, venerate, worship

Synonym Discussion of slander

malign, traduce, asperse, vilify, calumniate, defame, slander mean to injure by speaking ill of. malign suggests specific and often subtle misrepresentation but may not always imply deliberate lying.
    • the most maligned monarch in British history
traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.
    • so traduced the governor that he was driven from office
asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.
    • both candidates aspersed the other's motives
vilify implies attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse.
    • no criminal was more vilified in the press
calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.
    • falsely calumniated as a traitor
defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.
    • sued them for defaming her reputation
slander stresses the suffering of the victim.
    • town gossips slandered their good name

Learn More about slander

  1. See words that rhyme with slander Dictionary: Definition of slander Spanish Central: Translation of slander Nglish: Translation of slander for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slander for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slander

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up slander? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games