Defamation
noun
The action of damaging the good reputation of someone by saying untrue things about them.
The celebrity is suing the newspaper for defamation.
Often appears as...
- defamation of character
- defamation lawsuit
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
noun
False statements made about someone or something to cause harm.
The article was full of defamations and lies.
Often appears as...
- publish a defamation
- commit a defamation
noun
The action of damaging the good reputation of someone by saying untrue things about them.
The celebrity is suing the newspaper for defamation.
Often appears as...
- defamation of character
- defamation lawsuit
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
noun
False statements made about someone or something to cause harm.
The article was full of defamations and lies.
Often appears as...
- publish a defamation
- commit a defamation
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Consequences
Using 'defamation' wrongly can lead to lawsuits, as it's a serious legal accusation.
Accusing someone of theft without evidence could be considered defamation.
Pro Tip 2/3Reputation Impact
'Defamation' involves damaging someone's reputation, not just making a negative comment.
Spreading rumors that ruin someone's social standing might be deemed defamation.
Pro Tip 3/3Public Figures
Public figures, like celebrities, are common targets of 'defamation' but they also have a higher burden of proof.
A politician claimed defamation after a newspaper incorrectly reported scandalous behavior.
Compare with
calumnyinsultlibelmalicemisrepresentslandersmearvilification
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Video examples
How reliable is your...
and a little while later, the accusing daughter filed a lawsuit. Even though I'd never mentioned her name, she sued me for defamation and invasion of privacy. And I went through nearly five years
Video examples
How reliable is your...
and a little while later, the accusing daughter filed a lawsuit. Even though I'd never mentioned her name, she sued me for defamation and invasion of privacy. And I went through nearly five years
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Bari Weiss
American Editor
Australia's defamation laws help explain why the #MeToo movement, while managing to take down some of the most powerful men in the entertainment and media industry in the United States, has not taken off there.
Quote examples
Rick Tumlinson
American Businessman
Life is an affirmation, not a defamation. Life means living. Life means taking that one tiny or giant leap beyond what you know you can do, or simply beyond what you know. It is in these moments that we live.
Quote examples
Rakhi Sawant
Indian Dancer
I first decided to file a defamation case of Rs 50 Crore against Tanushree Dutta, but then I realized her value is nothing in the country so I chose 25 paisa as the defamation amount. That's all is her worth.
Quote examples
Marvin Olasky
American Educator
More people need to understand the games secular liberals play. Here's one rule-of-thumb: No matter how bad a story sounds - particularly if it sounds bad - recognize the pattern of defamation.
Quote examples
Joseph Wambaugh
American Writer
I'm sure I took some licks at the system, and at trials and lawyers in general. I've seen enough of them for so many years both as a cop and a defendant in defamation cases.
Quote examples
Subramanian Swamy
Indian Politician
The truth is truth. I have never made a charge in my political career of 30 years where I have been disapproved. No defamation case has succeeded against me.
Quote examples
David Hunt
English Politician
As a lawyer who has dealt in defamation, I know that someone's reputation has to be lowered in the eyes of right-thinking people to sue.
Quote examples
Radha Ravi
Indian Actress
Theatre owners cannot threaten actors with defamation cases and take them to court or seek compensation for losses incurred.
Quote examples
Mitch Daniels
American Politician
The public is increasingly disgusted with a steady diet of defamation, and prepared to reward those who refrain from it.
Quote examples
Charles Barkley
American Baseball Player
My initial response was to sue her for defamation of character, but then I realized that I had no character.
Quote examples
Bari Weiss
American Editor
Australia's defamation laws help explain why the #MeToo movement, while managing to take down some of the most powerful men in the entertainment and media industry in the United States, has not taken off there.
Quote examples
Rick Tumlinson
American Businessman
Life is an affirmation, not a defamation. Life means living. Life means taking that one tiny or giant leap beyond what you know you can do, or simply beyond what you know. It is in these moments that we live.
Quote examples
Rakhi Sawant
Indian Dancer
I first decided to file a defamation case of Rs 50 Crore against Tanushree Dutta, but then I realized her value is nothing in the country so I chose 25 paisa as the defamation amount. That's all is her worth.
Quote examples
Marvin Olasky
American Educator
More people need to understand the games secular liberals play. Here's one rule-of-thumb: No matter how bad a story sounds - particularly if it sounds bad - recognize the pattern of defamation.
Quote examples
Joseph Wambaugh
American Writer
I'm sure I took some licks at the system, and at trials and lawyers in general. I've seen enough of them for so many years both as a cop and a defendant in defamation cases.
Quote examples
Subramanian Swamy
Indian Politician
The truth is truth. I have never made a charge in my political career of 30 years where I have been disapproved. No defamation case has succeeded against me.
Quote examples
David Hunt
English Politician
As a lawyer who has dealt in defamation, I know that someone's reputation has to be lowered in the eyes of right-thinking people to sue.
Quote examples
Radha Ravi
Indian Actress
Theatre owners cannot threaten actors with defamation cases and take them to court or seek compensation for losses incurred.
Quote examples
Mitch Daniels
American Politician
The public is increasingly disgusted with a steady diet of defamation, and prepared to reward those who refrain from it.
Quote examples
Charles Barkley
American Baseball Player
My initial response was to sue her for defamation of character, but then I realized that I had no character.
Example 1 of 10
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