as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the governor's office issued a statement accusing the state's largest newspaper of libel
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to smear
to make untrue and harmful statements about
the court decided that the newspaper's reportage of the former mayor, while irresponsible, did not constitute an effort to libel him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of libel
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 May 2025
Shortly after, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the outlet, alleging libel, which the Times denied.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
After the New York Times ran a report about it, Baldoni sued the publication for $250 million on New Year’s Eve, accusing them of libel.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 May 2025
Shortly after, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the outlet, alleging libel, which the Times denied.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
Luckily for anyone still Christmas shopping, however, the court has continued pressing Giuliani for his assets, which are expected to be sold at auction to pay for a portion of the damages owed to the plaintiffs, whom Giuliani libelled with false claims of election malfeasance.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
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Justin Baldoni's lawyer said Blake Lively should hold off on celebrating after a judge dismissed the actor's $400 million defamation lawsuit against her.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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However, the countersuit was dismissed on Monday, June 9, along with Baldoni's $250 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
11 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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Reed went on to report a series of grievances against the Griffin teachers union and said she’s been slandered and disrespected by the community.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2025
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Unnamed Pentagon officials have slandered our character with baseless attacks on our way out the door.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the smiling Red Bull players mingled on the pitch after the win, the Galaxy’s players looked genuinely disgraced amid Vanney’s sharp stares.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
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He’s repeatedly disgraced the city and his constituents.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
Verb
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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
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One: Stories in the media were defaming our community — especially gay men.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
5 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
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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