defamed; defaming
1
law
: to harm the reputation of by communicating false statements about : to harm the reputation of by libel (see libel entry 1 sense 2a) or slander (see slander entry 2 sense 2)
defamed her character
2
archaic
: accuse
defamed of witchcraft
3
archaic
: disgrace
defamer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of defame in a Sentence
He says he was defamed by reports that falsely identified him as a former gangster.
of course I want to win the election, but I refuse to defame my opponent in order to do so
Recent Examples on the Web
Giuliani was found liable last year for defaming two former Georgia election workers, Freeman and her daughter Moss, after falsely accusing them of ballot tampering during the election.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The claim also accuses Supervisor Noelia Corzo, a former supporter of Corpus who is also Latina, of disclosing confidential personnel investigation details and defaming the sheriff publicly.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025
The jury also found that Trump defamed her in statements made in 2022.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
In the 2022 trial, a jury unanimously found that Heard defamed Depp.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defame 
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The claim also accuses Supervisor Noelia Corzo, a former supporter of Corpus who is also Latina, of disclosing confidential personnel investigation details and defaming the sheriff publicly.
—Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2025
The jury also found that Trump defamed her in statements made in 2022.
—Russell Lewis, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
In the 2022 trial, a jury unanimously found that Heard defamed Depp.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defame
Articles Related to defame
Dictionary Entries Near defame
Cite this Entry
“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defame. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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Legal Definition
defame
transitive verb
de·fame
di-ˈfām 
defamed; defaming
: to make the subject of defamation
defamer
noun
Etymology
Medieval Latin defamare, alteration of Latin diffamare to spread news of, defame, from dis-, prefix marking dispersal or removal + fama reputation
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