libelling
Publishing false accusations
Libelling is the act of publishing false statements that damage someone's reputation.
The British spelling doubles the L; American English uses libeling.
The newspaper was accused of libelling the mayor.
Unlike slander, which is spoken, libel refers specifically to written or broadcast defamation.
False statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
- damagesCompensation for injury
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · tort · litigation · actionable · malice · falsity · publication · statement
Spreading by rubbing
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
- mudslingingMalicious personal attacks
vilifying · besmirching · maligning · discrediting · attacking · impugning · slandering · defaming
Sensationalist newspaper format
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- articleWritten piece or grammatical word
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
- editorOne who revises text
reporter · source · misquote · fabrication · sensationalism · headline · press · media
Organized effort toward goal
- opponentOne who contends against
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- smear campaignOrganized defamation effort
whisper campaign · negative campaigning · disinformation · rival · election · rhetoric · accusation · partisan
defamation
False statements harming reputation
plaintiff · defendant · tort · litigation · actionable · malice · falsity · publication · statement · claim
smearing
Spreading by rubbing
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- tarnishingOxidizing and losing shine
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
mudslinging · vilifying · besmirching · maligning · discrediting · attacking · impugning · slandering · defaming · damaging
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- articleWritten piece or grammatical word
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
editor · reporter · source · misquote · fabrication · sensationalism · headline · press · media · expose
campaign
Organized effort toward goal
- opponentOne who contends against
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- propagandaBiased information for influence
smear campaign · whisper campaign · negative campaigning · disinformation · rival · election · rhetoric · accusation · partisan · opposition research
libellingpraising
Voicing admiration
complimenting · lauding · extolling · commending · eulogizing
libellingexonerating
Clearing of wrongdoing
vindicating · truth-telling · verifying · corroborating · authenticating
libel, libelous, libels, libelled, libeled, libeling, libellous