defamation of character
Malicious false statements
Defamation of character is the act of making false statements that damage someone's reputation.
The legal term encompasses both slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written or published defamation).
To constitute defamation, the statement must be presented as fact rather than opinion, communicated to others, and cause harm: She sued the newspaper for defamation of character after they printed false allegations.
- libelPrinted defamation
- written statementRecorded account in words
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- slanderSpoken false defamation
spoken words · calumny · malice · humiliation · stigma · damages · falsehood · apology · public shaming · good name · tort · burden of proof · disparagement · smear campaign · lawsuit · legal action · court of law · false accusation
defamation of characterpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · glorification · vindication · eulogy · tribute
defamation of characterfair comment
Legal defense for criticism
constructive criticism · protected speech · whistleblowing · investigative journalism
defamation of charactervindication
Clearance of blame
honor · exoneration · acquittal · absolution · retraction
defamation, defame, defamed, defaming, defamer, defamatory, character, characters, characterize