defaming
Spreading malicious lies
Defaming is harming someone's reputation through false statements.
The verb defame and its noun defamation are legal terms for damaging someone's good name: The article was defaming local officials by accusing them of taking bribes.
To defame requires that the statements be false—truth is a defense against defamation claims.
Attack someone's reputation
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- sullyDamage one's standing
taint · malign · revile · calumniate · traduce · asperse · impugn · libel
Malicious false statement
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
- traducementMalicious false speech
backbiting · mudslinging · character assassination · disparagement · gossip · insinuation · innuendo · talebearing
Loss of honor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- dishonorLoss of respect
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- stigmaMark of dishonor
tarnish · discredit · humiliation · degradation · besmirchment · sullying · stain · blot
Issued written material
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
falsification · newspaper · tabloid · pamphlet · blog post · social media · lawsuit · retraction
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- ill-willHostile or unkind feeling
resentment · vindictiveness · grudge · vengeance · malevolence · bad faith · deliberate · calculated
vilify
Attack someone's reputation
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- disparageExpress low opinion of
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
sully · taint · malign · revile · calumniate · traduce · asperse · impugn · libel · slander
calumny
Malicious false statement
- aspersionDefamatory remark
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
traducement · backbiting · mudslinging · character assassination · disparagement · gossip · insinuation · innuendo · talebearing · whispering campaign
disgrace
Loss of honor
stigma · tarnish · discredit · humiliation · degradation · besmirchment · sullying · stain · blot · black mark
publication
Issued written material
- falsehoodDeliberate untrue statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
untruth · falsification · newspaper · tabloid · pamphlet · blog post · social media · lawsuit · retraction · damages
malice
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
ill-will · resentment · vindictiveness · grudge · vengeance · malevolence · bad faith · deliberate · calculated · targeted
- defamationslander, libel, smears, badmouthing, calumny
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, demonizing, demonisation, demonize
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- gossiprumor, rumors, gossip, hearsay, whisper
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
defamingpraising
Voicing admiration
extolling · commending · lauding · exalting · glorifying
defamingvindicating
Proving someone was correct
defending · clearing · exonerating · rehabilitating · vouching for
fame, famous, famed, infamous, defame, infamy, defamation, defamatory, defamer