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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of libel
Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
The use of obscene or profane language, personal attack, libel, slander, defamation, physical violence or the threat thereof, as determined by the presiding officer, shall constitute a disturbing a lawful meeting.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 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
McGraw, once a practicing psychologist, became a self-help guru propelled to fame by Oprah Winfrey, who hired him to help prepare her for a libel case brought by the Texas Beef Group in 1996.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
The use of obscene or profane language, personal attack, libel, slander, defamation, physical violence or the threat thereof, as determined by the presiding officer, shall constitute a disturbing a lawful meeting.
—Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 July 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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Trump asked a judge to order News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch to testify immediately in his defamation lawsuit over the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, with the president citing the 94-year-old media mogul’s age to justify the request.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Trump asserted the story was false and filed a $20 billion defamation lawsuit against the publication.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
28 July 2025
Verb
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The response of the Zelensky Administration to smear anti-corruption probes as Russian propaganda is misguided and self-defeating, as many within Ukraine point out.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
24 July 2025
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My hands smeared in gore, eyes alight with frenzied ecstasy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
Verb
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While some humans may slander pigs as dirty, messy, lazy animals, others celebrate these intelligent animals that have a long history in agriculture.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 June 2025
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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
Verb
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Some six years after his death, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein is again in the spotlight, this one cast by President Trump’s unrelenting MAGA base.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
19 July 2025
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House Democratic leaders will spoke to reporters Tuesday morning as those within the party air frustration with the Trump administration over files tied to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Trump claims the Wall Street Journal and its journalists defamed him and has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
18 July 2025
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The president was also found liable for defaming Carroll over her allegations.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Verb
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This is mainly an effort to discredit and demonize property taxes, which DeSantis wants to abolish or severely curtail in Florida.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
26 July 2025
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Trump’s theory here, juiced by Gabbard, is that Obama used talk of Russian election interference to discredit Trump’s 2016 election win and hobble his first term in office.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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