DEFAMED Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

defamed

verb

past tense of defame

as in libeled

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

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as in accused

archaic to make a claim of wrongdoing against so the harmless old woman was defamed of witchcraft

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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 defamed Baldoni also filed a countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, in January 2025, alleging that the couple and their PR firm had defamed him and Wayfarer Studios. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026 Former Mesa High School Athletic Director David Klecka is seeking $750,000 from the city, alleging a Mesa police officer defamed him and acted negligently during an investigation. — Alexandra Hardle, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2026 In 2025, that anonymous woman filed a countersuit, alleging in turn that the Tates defamed her. — Kat Tenbarge, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026 Trump separately was found civilly liable by another Manhattan federal court jury for having defamed Carroll. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 29 June 2026 In the process of court I have been fragmented, silenced, defamed and traumatized. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is suing Mayor Karen Bass personally, alleging that, while campaigning for reelection, Bass defamed her, damaging Crowley’s reputation by blaming her for the city’s response during the catastrophic Palisades fire. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 In her lawsuit, Theodat alleged that the Herald’s reporting of public lawsuits against her and the commission’s investigation of her, and her ultimate termination — that were matters of public interest – defamed her. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026 Hallivis is represented by Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, an attorney who has filed several suits against Netflix on behalf of people who alleged they were defamed in various shows. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defamed

Verb

In 2012 an angler pulled a brown bullhead out of a lake on the Vermont-Quebec border with what looked like tar smeared across its skin.

— John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
The women went to the bathroom to mop the bottoms of their eyes, where their makeup was smeared from crying.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of smeared

Verb

The Africa Corps fights alongside the Malian army and has been accused of gross human rights violations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
But it’s been accused of falling behind in AI, and its core business might have fewer growth opportunities than a rapidly advancing new technology.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of accused

Verb

In Boston, a 30-year-old political communications strategist named Abhijeet Dipke woke up to the remark and felt humiliated by it.

— Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The Fijians were tough and clinical in a huge turnaround from last weekend when they were humiliated by England 73-8 in Liverpool.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of humiliated

Verb

Last week, a grand jury indicted all three men in connection to the attack.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Johnson County Sheriff Adam King is, for the time being, no longer in charge of the law enforcement agency after being indicted on two new charges this week, officials said Friday.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026

Definition of indicted

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“Defamed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defamed. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of defamed

verb

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