libelous
Harmfully, falsely accusatory
Libelous describes statements that are defamatory—false claims that damage someone's reputation.
A libelous article might accuse someone of crimes they didn't commit.
The term applies specifically to written or published defamation, as opposed to spoken slander: The newspaper retracted the libelous story.
Also spelled libellous in British English.
False statements harming reputation
- tortActionable civil harm
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
litigation · damages · liable · sue · verdict · injunction · counsel · attorney
Harmed through false statements
- slanderedDamaged by false statements
- smearedSpread carelessly across
- tarnishedOxidized and discolored
- discreditedProven unworthy of trust
scandalized · disgraced · shamed · dishonored · stigmatized · besmirched · ruined · damaged
Expressing negative judgment
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- denigratoryUnfairly critical in nature
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- injuriousCausing physical harm
insulting · discrediting · smearing · tarnishing · vilifying · traducing · denigrating · maligning
Seeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- intentionalDone on purpose
harmful · mean-spirited · calculated · deliberate · reckless · wanton · insidious · vicious
Not matching reality
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- distortedMisshapen from original form
inaccurate · baseless · unfounded · unsubstantiated · groundless · spurious · fraudulent · fictitious
defamation
False statements harming reputation
defendant · litigation · damages · liable · sue · verdict · injunction · counsel · attorney · testimony
defamed
Harmed through false statements
discredited · scandalized · disgraced · shamed · dishonored · stigmatized · besmirched · ruined · damaged · impugned
disparaging
Expressing negative judgment
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- denigratoryUnfairly critical in nature
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
injurious · insulting · discrediting · smearing · tarnishing · vilifying · traducing · denigrating · maligning · vituperative
vindictive
Seeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- malevolentHarboring ill will
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
intentional · harmful · mean-spirited · calculated · deliberate · reckless · wanton · insidious · vicious · nasty
false
Not matching reality
- fabricatedInvented, not real
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
distorted · inaccurate · baseless · unfounded · unsubstantiated · groundless · spurious · fraudulent · fictitious · invented
libelouslaudatory
Expressing strong approval
complimentary · praising · eulogistic · adulatory · commendatory
libelousharmless
Causing no injury
innocuous · benign · inoffensive · protective · beneficial
libel, slanderous, libels, calumnious, libelled, libelling, libeler, libeling, libellous