as in libel
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
accused the newspaper columnist of defamation of character
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Recent Examples of defamation
The network agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library in December, in order to settle a defamation lawsuit over George Stephanopoulos’ inaccurate assertion that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.
—
David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
The Wayfarer Parties also cannot recover on their defamation claims.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
UnitedHealthcare is suing The Guardian for defamation over a story the publication ran related to its billing for nursing home residents.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
In a $500 million defamation and elder abuse action of their own, Smokey Robinson and his wife are now going after the four former employees who have accused the Motown legend of rape in a $50 million lawsuit.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
The Wayfarer Parties also cannot recover on their defamation claims.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
UnitedHealthcare is suing The Guardian for defamation over a story the publication ran related to its billing for nursing home residents.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
In a $500 million defamation and elder abuse action of their own, Smokey Robinson and his wife are now going after the four former employees who have accused the Motown legend of rape in a $50 million lawsuit.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defamation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamation
libel
Noun
-
Will the media’s libel protection last in the age of Trump?—
Ashley Oliver,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Wynn is a longtime friend of Donald Trump, who also has called for stricter libel laws.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamation. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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