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
Andy Reid is not happy about the Taylor Swift slander. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2025 Melissa Gilbert will not stand for any Little House on the Prairie slander. Julia Moore, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
We Americans get slandered around the world as a bunch of fat, lazy, selfish slobs. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 In his version of events, Salome doesn’t care that John (renamed Jokanaan the Prophet) slandered her mother. E.r. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slander
Noun
  • Lipstadt became famous—and was later portrayed onscreen by Rachel Weisz—for winning a judgment in a British court against the Holocaust denier David Irving, who had sued her for libel.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In February 2022, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff rejected Palin's claims in a ruling issued while a jury deliberated, saying Palin had failed to show that the Times had acted out of malice, something required in libel lawsuits involving public figures.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • They were usually surrounded by toddlers, soiling their pull-ups while smeared with frosting.
    Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Coogler opens with traumatized sharecropper Sammie (impressive newcomer Miles Caton), smeared with blood and fresh claw marks gouged into the side of his face, staggering mid-service into the church where his father preaches, clutching his guitar.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The lawsuit further accused BCPS of retaliating against Jensen's expression of his First Amendment rights, violating his 14th Amendment rights and defamation.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Baldoni has denied the allegations and accused Lively of defamation and extortion.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slander. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slander

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