defames
Ruins someone's reputation
Defames is the present-tense form of defame, meaning to damage someone's reputation through false statements.
The word carries legal weight—defamation is a category of law covering libel and slander.
The article defames him by claiming he embezzled funds.
To defame is to publicly attack character, whether through spoken words, writing, or broadcast.
Falsely damages reputation
- libelsDefames in writing
- vilifiesHarshly criticizes reputation
- malignsSpeaks falsely against
- smearsDefaming attacks or streaks
denigrates · besmirches · calumniates · disparages · impugns · asperse · backbites · blackens
Printed defamation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
smear · denigration · character assassination · mudslinging · scurrility · disparagement · innuendo · backbiting
Sensationalist newspaper format
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumormongeringHabitual spreading of unverified talk
- sensationalismOverhyped news coverage
propaganda · disinformation · agitprop · smear campaign · hit piece · gutter press · fake news · trolling
slanders
Falsely damages reputation
smears · denigrates · besmirches · calumniates · disparages · impugns · asperse · backbites · blackens · sullies
libel
Printed defamation
vilification · smear · denigration · character assassination · mudslinging · scurrility · disparagement · innuendo · backbiting · traducement
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- rumormongeringHabitual spreading of unverified talk
sensationalism · propaganda · disinformation · agitprop · smear campaign · hit piece · gutter press · fake news · trolling · cyberbullying
disgrace
Loss of honor
ignominy · stigma · humiliation · scandal · notoriety · degradation · tarnish · blemish · taint · ruination
- criticismscriticizes, disparages, condemns, denounces, censures
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, denigrates, discredits
- distortionsdistort, distorts, deform, warp, twist
- written defamationPublished false character attack
- defamation of characterFalse statements harming reputation
- defamation suitLawsuit claiming reputational harm
- defamatory remarksHarmful false statements about someone
- defamatory statementsHarmful untrue claims
- defamation lawStatutes protecting personal reputation
defame, defamation, defamatory, defamer, defamed, defaming, defamers, defamations