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

Relevance

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 Kim was eventually dropped from the defamation suit, before a jury found the family not guilty of defaming Chyna in May 2022. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025 In her lawsuit that was dismissed Monday, Peterson claimed T.I. and Tiny defamed her and invaded her privacy with their own series of Instagram posts. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025 Daddy Yankee has reportedly filed a $250 million lawsuit against his ex-wife and her sister, alleging the women mismanaged two of his companies and defamed him. —Rachel Desantis, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025 Kim was eventually dropped from the defamation suit, before a jury found the family not guilty of defaming Chyna in May 2022. —Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 26 Feb. 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
  • 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
  • Please ask your daughter to stop libeling Miss Manners.
    — Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of libel
Verb
  • Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaking one-day Easter ceasefire.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Two Jesuit priests were kidnapped by the government and tortured for several months in 1976; critics accused Bergoglio of willingly handing the men over.
    — Henry Chu, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of accuse
Verb
  • They were usually surrounded by toddlers, soiling their pull-ups while smeared with frosting.
    — Dan Ewen, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Coogler opens with traumatized sharecropper Sammie (impressive newcomer Miles Caton), smeared with blood and fresh claw marks gouged into the side of his face, staggering mid-service into the church where his father preaches, clutching his guitar.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of smear
Verb
  • Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted yesterday on two counts of stalking, one firearms offense and murder through use of a firearm.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Court records show he was then indicted in June 2020 for misconduct in office.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of indict
Verb
  • Shawn reluctantly agrees, but is humiliated when Cory starts acting corny around his friend Gambling Dan (Phil Buckman), and his lackey, Louie (Weiss).
    — EW.com, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • He must be seen standing up to foreign oppressors who seek to humiliate China and thwart its rightful rise.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of humiliate
Verb
  • Biden’s actions continue to discredit the legitimacy of our judicial system.
    — Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The current page suggests this paper's explicit intention was to discredit the lab leak theory and remove any doubt that the origins were of natural origin.
    — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of discredit

Browse Nearby Words

defamatory
defame
defamed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defame.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defame. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on defame

Nglish: Translation of defame for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

Words You Always Have to Look Up

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All