libeling
Writing false accusations
Libeling is making false statements that damage someone's reputation.
In legal contexts, libel specifically refers to defamatory statements in written or published form, as opposed to spoken slander.
The newspaper was sued for libeling the mayor.
Also spelled libelling in British English.
False statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
disparagement · denigration · traducement · maligning · aspersion · obloquy · detraction · mudslinging
Oxidation discoloration on metal
- besmirchTo soil someone's reputation
- sullyDamage one's standing
- blackenMake or become dark
- smearSpread or defame
discredit · stigmatize · taint · blot · defile · blemish · drag through the mud · damage
Civil court proceeding
- damagesCompensation for injury
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
- publicationIssued written material
malice · defamation suit · retraction · apology · settlement · injunction · tort · civil action
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
distortion · disinformation · canard · hoax · prevarication · mendacity · fib · defamatory statement
defamation
False statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
character assassination · disparagement · denigration · traducement · maligning · aspersion · obloquy · detraction · mudslinging · smear campaign
tarnish
Oxidation discoloration on metal
smear · discredit · stigmatize · taint · blot · defile · blemish · drag through the mud · damage · ruin
lawsuit
Civil court proceeding
publication · malice · defamation suit · retraction · apology · settlement · injunction · tort · civil action · media law
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
falsification · distortion · disinformation · canard · hoax · prevarication · mendacity · fib · defamatory statement · false accusation
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
libelingpraising
Voicing admiration
lauding · extolling · commending · eulogizing · honoring
libel, libelous, libels, calumniate, libelled, libelling, libeled, libeler, libelers