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
Even casual comments can be spread on social media and misunderstood, or even lead to slander. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 15 May 2025 But Fallon was not standing for any slander toward Alcock on his show. Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Verb
But because Palud slanders one of the all-time greatest works of cinema, the raison d’être behind Being Maria is questionable, an ideological ambush. Armond White, National Review, 28 Mar. 2025 He was chucked into prison for slandering a member of the royal family. Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander
Noun
  • On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni sued The New York Times for $250 million for libel over their initial story about Lively’s allegations.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 2 May 2025
  • This group also advises on libel, intellectual property, and other concerns relating to content.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025
  • The assertion by certain anonymous users online is a typically out-of-context and absurd effort to create fake news for clicks and to smear.
    Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Nonetheless, as Push told GQ, his label and their parent label were concerned about the optics of two of Drizzy’s foes linking up amid the ongoing defamation lawsuit.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 June 2025
  • Shawe, not one to stay out of the courts, sued the lawyer representing the class, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, for defamation in May 2024.
    Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slander. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slander

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