slander
Spoken harmful lies
Slander is making false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation.
In law, it's distinguished from libel, which is written defamation: She sued him for slander after he told colleagues she'd been fired for theft.
More loosely, slander covers any malicious falsehood spread about a person: That accusation is pure slander.
The verb means to defame in this way.
Printed defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
smear · aspersion · character assassination · mudslinging · traducement · besmirchment · detraction · obloquy
Unconfirmed circulating story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
talk · word-of-mouth · grapevine · buzz · chatter · innuendo · insinuation · scuttlebutt
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
canard · distortion · misrepresentation · prevarication · invention · exaggeration · false statement · false accusation
Nature, symbol, or role
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- good nameFavorable public regard
- imageVisual or mental likeness
standing · prestige · dignity · esteem · respect · disgrace · dishonor · shame
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- venomInjected animal poison
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
- ill willHostile or unfriendly feeling
animosity · hostility · resentment · malevolence · bad faith · grudge · hatred · cruelty
Printed defamation
- tortActionable civil harm
- defamation suitLawsuit claiming reputational harm
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
damages · litigation · verdict · testimony · evidence · malice · actual malice · public figure
libel
Printed defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- denigrationUnjust attack on reputation
disparagement · smear · aspersion · character assassination · mudslinging · traducement · besmirchment · detraction · obloquy · backbiting
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
tittle-tattle · talk · word-of-mouth · grapevine · buzz · chatter · innuendo · insinuation · scuttlebutt · backbiting
lie
Deliberate falsehood
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- untruthA false statement
- falsityState of being incorrect
misinformation · canard · distortion · misrepresentation · prevarication · invention · exaggeration · false statement · false accusation · tall tale
character
Nature, symbol, or role
- credibilityQuality inspiring trust
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- good nameFavorable public regard
image · standing · prestige · dignity · esteem · respect · disgrace · dishonor · shame · infamy
malice
Intent to cause harm
- spitePetty malicious intent
- venomInjected animal poison
- vindictivenessDisposition toward retaliation
ill will · animosity · hostility · resentment · malevolence · bad faith · grudge · hatred · cruelty · meanness
libel
Printed defamation
- tortActionable civil harm
- defamation suitLawsuit claiming reputational harm
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · damages · litigation · verdict · testimony · evidence · malice · actual malice · public figure · per se
- defamationlibel, defamation, defamatory statement, defaming, smears
- invectiveabuse, insult, insults, slur, vilification
- media ethicsjournalism ethics, media ethics, media bias, journalistic ethics, journalistic integrity
- slanderdefamation, calumny, libel, false accusation, character assassination
- vilificationvilification, vilifying, demonizing, demonisation, demonize
- tort lawtort, tort law, negligence, duty of care, breach of duty
slanderpraise
Expression of approval
commendation · acclaim · eulogy · glorification · tribute
slandervindicate
Clear of wrongdoing
exonerate · bear witness · speak the truth · defend · vouch for
- slander lawsLegal prohibitions on harmful falsehoods
slanderous, slanders, slandered, slandering, slanderer, slanderers, slanderously