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
Did Senate Majority Leader John Thune defend his colleague in the face of the president’s slander? Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2025 The pivotal addition to the the state Civil Code reads: Existing law provides that libel is a false and unprivileged written publication that injures the reputation and that slander is a false and unprivileged publication, orally uttered, that injures the reputation, as specified. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
He was chucked into prison for slandering a member of the royal family. Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025 We Americans get slandered around the world as a bunch of fat, lazy, selfish slobs. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander
Noun
  • Baldoni then filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times for its bombshell exposé into Lively’s claims.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
  • Early criticism of the Wayfarer-Lively case compared the proceedings to the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard libel suit in 2022.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Avoid insecticides, greasy oils, or petroleum jelly smeared near the feeder that can coat hummingbird feathers.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
  • Though the moment is smeared in dramatic score, a dull clanging pierces through; the EMTs can’t get the gurney wheels to glide out of the doorway.
    Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • After the 2020 election, Fox took her off the air because her promotion of the false contention Dominion voting machines rigged the election against Trump became part of its $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox. Pirro and Martin are not the only dubious department appointees.
    Carl Leubsdorf, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
  • Baldoni, 41, denied the claims, filing a $400 million countersuit of his own, accusing Lively and others of defamation and extortion.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 15 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slander. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slander

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