defamatory
Damaging to reputation
Defamatory describes statements that damage someone's reputation by making false claims about them: defamatory remarks, a defamatory article.
The word belongs to legal and formal contexts—in casual speech, people more often say someone is talking shit or spreading lies.
What counts as defamatory varies by jurisdiction, but the core idea is falsehood that harms.
Falsely damaging to reputation
- libelousFalsely damaging someone's reputation
- calumniousFalsely accusatory and harmful
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- vilifyingMaliciously disparaging someone
traducing · mudslinging · backbiting · character assassination · smearing · besmirching · talebearing · scurrilous
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
calculated · intentional · deliberate · mean-spirited · nasty · cruel · insidious · poisonous
Causing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
destructive · ruinous · hurtful · prejudicial · compromising · undermining · stigmatizing · blackening
Expressing criticism or disrespect
- denigratingCriticizing to damage reputation
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
- deprecatingExpressing disapproval or belittlement
insulting · offensive · degrading · demeaning · disrespectful · abusive · vituperative · contemptuous
Not in accordance with fact
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- misrepresentativeFalsely portraying something
- falsifiedMade deliberately inaccurate
- dishonestInclined to deceive
deceptive · inaccurate · distorted · misstated · baseless · unfounded · groundless · unsubstantiated
slanderous
Falsely damaging to reputation
- libelousFalsely damaging someone's reputation
- calumniousFalsely accusatory and harmful
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
vilifying · traducing · mudslinging · backbiting · character assassination · smearing · besmirching · talebearing · scurrilous · injurious
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
hostile · calculated · intentional · deliberate · mean-spirited · nasty · cruel · insidious · poisonous · bitter
damaging
Causing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
- discreditingDamaging another's reputation
tarnishing · destructive · ruinous · hurtful · prejudicial · compromising · undermining · stigmatizing · blackening · sullying
derogatory
Expressing criticism or disrespect
- denigratingCriticizing to damage reputation
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- pejorativeTerm expressing disapproval
deprecating · insulting · offensive · degrading · demeaning · disrespectful · abusive · vituperative · contemptuous · dismissive
untrue
Not in accordance with fact
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- misrepresentativeFalsely portraying something
- falsifiedMade deliberately inaccurate
dishonest · deceptive · inaccurate · distorted · misstated · baseless · unfounded · groundless · unsubstantiated · spurious
defamatorylaudatory
Expressing strong approval
complimentary · praising · eulogistic · adulatory · commendatory
defamatoryadmiring
Feeling respect and approval
appreciative · approving · commending · respectful · honoring
- defamatory remarksHarmful false statements about someone
- defamatory statementsHarmful untrue claims
fame, famous, famed, infamous, defame, infamy, malignant, defamation, malignity