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
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
Laura Boulton, a former Timberline High School math teacher, filed claims against both school districts in May for allegedly defaming her during her application process.
—
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2025
One: Stories in the media were defaming our community — especially gay men.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Nicklaus argues that Nicklaus Companies defamed him by claiming Milstein and company officials saved him from moving forward with Golf Saudi.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 June 2025
Baraka’s federal lawsuit alleges that Habba falsely arrested, maliciously prosecuted and defamed the Democratic mayor.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for defame
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Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2025
One: Stories in the media were defaming our community — especially gay men.
—Matt Alderton, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Nicklaus argues that Nicklaus Companies defamed him by claiming Milstein and company officials saved him from moving forward with Golf Saudi.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 June 2025
Baraka’s federal lawsuit alleges that Habba falsely arrested, maliciously prosecuted and defamed the Democratic mayor.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for defame
Cite this Entry
“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defame. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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