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
April Rubin, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
In the following years, the government targeted Rappler and Ms. Ressa with nearly two dozen legal cases, including charges of tax evasion and a case of cyber libel for which she was convicted in 2020.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
George Pendle, airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Noun
Catch up quick: Casino mogul and President Trump donor Steve Wynn, in a libel lawsuit against the Associated Press, sought to challenge the bedrock case law that has protected journalists from libel lawsuits for decades.
—April Rubin, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
In the following years, the government targeted Rappler and Ms. Ressa with nearly two dozen legal cases, including charges of tax evasion and a case of cyber libel for which she was convicted in 2020.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
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
Wright got so big on social media even Piers Morgan invited her to libel Jay Z and Beyonce on his platform.
—Rob Marriott, VIBE.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for libel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for libel
Noun
-
In a video missive put out earlier Tuesday, Sharpe attacked Buzbee’s credibility directly and promised to file a defamation lawsuit against the admittedly aggressive attorney and the OnlyFans posting Jane Doe.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
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Hov not only sued her for defamation, but also her attorney Tony Buzbee.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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They were usually surrounded by toddlers, soiling their pull-ups while smeared with frosting.—
Dan Ewen,
Deadline,
18 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
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He was chucked into prison for slandering a member of the royal family.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
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We Americans get slandered around the world as a bunch of fat, lazy, selfish slobs.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The allegations echoed the earlier influence-peddling scandal surrounding disgraced former President Park Geun-hye, which led to nationwide protests in 2017 and the impeachment of South Korea’s first female President.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
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Some former generals involved in martial law decades ago had ended up in prison and been publicly disgraced.—
Choe Sang-Hun,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Charges under the laws, which forbid defaming, insulting or threatening royalty, carry a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years.—
John Yoon,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Baldoni adamantly denied her claims, filing a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and a separate $400 million claim against Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, alleging the couple defamed and extorted him.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Biden’s actions continue to discredit the legitimacy of our judicial system.—
Carl Burdette,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Libel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/libel. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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