defame

verb

di-ˈfām How to pronounce defame (audio)
Definition of defamenext
1
as in to libel
to make untrue and harmful statements about of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to accuse
archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defame differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defame are asperse, calumniate, malign, slander, traduce, and vilify. While all these words mean "to injure by speaking ill of," defame stresses the actual loss of or injury to one's good name.

sued them for defaming her reputation

When could asperse be used to replace defame?

In some situations, the words asperse and defame are roughly equivalent. However, asperse implies continued attack on a reputation often by indirect or insinuated detraction.

both candidates aspersed the other's motives

When is it sensible to use calumniate instead of defame?

While the synonyms calumniate and defame are close in meaning, calumniate imputes malice to the speaker and falsity to the assertions.

falsely calumniated as a traitor

Where would malign be a reasonable alternative to defame?

Although the words malign and defame have much in common, 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 slander take the place of defame?

The meanings of slander and defame largely overlap; however, slander stresses the suffering of the victim.

town gossips slandered their good name

When can traduce be used instead of defame?

The words traduce and defame are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, traduce stresses the resulting ignominy and distress to the victim.

so traduced the governor that he was driven from office

When would vilify be a good substitute for defame?

The words vilify and defame can be used in similar contexts, but 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 defame Along with claims of trespass and nuisance, Energy Transfer alleges that Greenpeace defamed the company to its financial backers. —Jennifer Safstrom, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025 Mosley wrote that Kou and his attorney, Lake County Commissioner and former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, failed to provide evidence Kou was defamed and ordered him to pay Albritton and his committee’s court fees and costs. —Steven Lemongello, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025 The lawsuit specifically claimed Combs was defamed by comments from Sure! —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2025 This was the deciding factor in Depp’s lopsided defamation win in 2022 against Heard on allegations that he was defamed by her op-ed in The Washington Post. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame
  1. libel
  2. accuse
  3. smear
  4. indict
  5. humiliate
  6. discredit
Verb
  • In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • As a new, inexpensive Chevrolet appeared in 1927 and The Dearborn Independent was sued for libeling a number of Jewish businessmen, Ford threw in the towel and apologized.
    — George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of libel
Verb
  • At least 12 other people are accused of helping the inmates in some way, including another inmate at the same facility.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
  • Later in 2022, Miller was accused of grooming two children and of burglarizing a home in Vermont.
    — Jack Smart, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of accuse
Verb
  • Also, faint objects appear even fainter because their light is smeared out.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2025
  • Smartmatic wants an even bigger payday than Dominion Voting Systems, which was similarly smeared by Fox News and settled a defamation lawsuit with the network in 2023 for a whopping $787 million.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Definition of smear
Verb
  • In 2023, a grand jury indicted Gutierrez-Reed on a felony charge of bringing a firearm into a New Mexico bar on Oct. 1, 2021.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Smerling was previously indicted in January on charges of embezzling from a business partner.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025
Definition of indict
Verb
  • And after Trump’s attempts to humiliate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, the lure of the White House is waning.
    — Stephen Collinson, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Simone Inzaghi really needs the win here — his Italian side finished one point behind Serie A champ Napoli and was humiliated by rival AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semifinal.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • The former Minnesota Democratic congressman was widely shunned for running against Biden and discredited for his accusations that Biden wasn’t capable of being president again.
    — Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
  • Injuries contributed to the Pacers’ series wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but claiming the Pacers only advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a second straight postseason because of lucky breaks discredits their greatness.
    — Jovan Buha, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Definition of discredit

Browse Nearby Words

defamatory
defame
defamed
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Cite this Entry

“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of defame for Spanish Speakers

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