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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defame
The jury decided that the BBC had defamed Adams in a 2016 episode of the BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight documentary series and in an accompanying online story.
—
Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 30 May 2025
Last year, a federal judge partially dismissed the lawsuit, denying Gino the ability to pursue allegations that the university defamed her.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 27 May 2025
The 15-page complaint, filed April 11, alleges that the wire service defamed him in a January 17 story that covered the verdict in the CNN case.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Still, lawyers for Dr. Chambers, who have denied the accusations, called the prosecutors’ decision a hopeful sign in the case, a rare detention of a foreigner in Thailand under a law that forbids defaming, insulting or threatening members of the royal family.
—Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defame
Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR, 30 May 2025
Last year, a federal judge partially dismissed the lawsuit, denying Gino the ability to pursue allegations that the university defamed her.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 27 May 2025
The 15-page complaint, filed April 11, alleges that the wire service defamed him in a January 17 story that covered the verdict in the CNN case.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Still, lawyers for Dr. Chambers, who have denied the accusations, called the prosecutors’ decision a hopeful sign in the case, a rare detention of a foreigner in Thailand under a law that forbids defaming, insulting or threatening members of the royal family.
—Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defame
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defame
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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An example: Just after O’Neill Burke took office, one of her young prosecutors sought detention for a man accused of leaving gifts for his children at the doorstep of the mother, who’d obtained an order of protection against him.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
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Logan Willis, 21, is accused of seriously beating his girlfriend and dragging her into a rural wooded area near Kenna on Friday, June 6, Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger told WSAZ.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Like Mamdani and other politicians that have held a steady opposition to Cuomo, Lander has spent plenty of time smearing the former governor.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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As if this dramatic moment was not enough, ACT-UP member Mark Chaney took it upon himself to splash and smear several vials of a red liquid onto the door of the City Council chambers.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
Verb
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In August 2024, Myrie and the others were indicted on conspiracy to murder, racketeering and firearms charges.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
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Barbara Myrick, who was the district’s general counsel at the time, was indicted by the grand jury the same day as Runcie in 2021.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Ukrainians said they were subjected to beatings, electric shocks and dog attacks by Russian authorities, not only to extract information but to intimidate and humiliate them.—
Richard Engel,
NBC news,
11 June 2025
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Musk, who also owns SpaceX, had backed Isaacman, and felt betrayed and humiliated when Trump changed his mind, according to the report.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Trump’s team is working furiously to keep the bill going on other fronts, too: seeking to discredit Congress’s nonpartisan scorekeeper while savaging Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for resisting the bill and its debt ceiling increase.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
6 June 2025
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The White House has sought to discredit the CBO, but other groups have also presented estimates that conclude that the legislation would expand the U.S. government deficit by trillions of dollars.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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