libellous
Harmfully, untruthfully accusatory
Libellous is the British spelling of libelous, describing something that contains or constitutes libel—a false published statement that damages someone's reputation.
A libellous article, book, or broadcast exposes its creator to potential legal action from the person defamed.
The newspaper retracted the libellous claims about the mayor.
Unlike slander, which is spoken, libel refers specifically to defamation in written or broadcast form.
Harming someone's good name
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- vilifyingMaliciously disparaging someone
- denigratoryUnfairly critical in nature
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
derogatory · maligning · smearing · traducing · besmirching · discrediting · tarnishing · denigrating
Causing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- hurtfulCausing emotional pain
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- detrimentalCausing harm or damage
ruinous · devastating · harmful · reputational · vindictive · spiteful · malicious · toxic
Claim someone did wrong
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- imputationAscribing fault to another
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- aspersionDefamatory remark
charge · claim · assertion · innuendo · smear · attack · incrimination · denunciation
False statements harming reputation
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
- litigationLegal dispute process
- damagesCompensation for injury
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
apology · settlement · plaintiff · defendant · publication · malice · negligence · tort
Not matching reality
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- baselessLacking factual support
- unfoundedWithout factual support
unsubstantiated · fictitious · invented · misleading · distorted · exaggerated · misrepresented · mendacious
defamatory
Harming someone's good name
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- vilifyingMaliciously disparaging someone
- denigratoryUnfairly critical in nature
disparaging · derogatory · maligning · smearing · traducing · besmirching · discrediting · tarnishing · denigrating · injurious
damaging
Causing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- hurtfulCausing emotional pain
- destructiveCausing severe harm
detrimental · ruinous · devastating · harmful · reputational · vindictive · spiteful · malicious · toxic · venomous
accusation
Claim someone did wrong
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- imputationAscribing fault to another
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
aspersion · charge · claim · assertion · innuendo · smear · attack · incrimination · denunciation · reproach
defamation
False statements harming reputation
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
- litigationLegal dispute process
- damagesCompensation for injury
retraction · apology · settlement · plaintiff · defendant · publication · malice · negligence · tort · civil
false
Not matching reality
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- baselessLacking factual support
unfounded · unsubstantiated · fictitious · invented · misleading · distorted · exaggerated · misrepresented · mendacious · spurious
libelloustruthful
Accurate and sincere
true · accurate · factual · verified · substantiated
libellouscomplimentary
Free or expressing praise
laudatory · harmless · flattering · praising · eulogistic
libellouslawful
Permitted by statute
privileged · fair comment · defensible · protected · legitimate
libel, slanderous, libelous, calumnious, libelled, libelling, libeling