slandered
Spoke lies about
Slandered is the past tense of slander, meaning to make false spoken statements that damage someone's reputation.
Unlike libel, which is written defamation, slander is oral: She claimed he had slandered her at the meeting.
The word implies the statements are both untrue and harmful—truthful criticism, however harsh, isn't slander.
Defamed in writing
- vilifiedSpoke evil of
- denigratedCriticized unfairly, damaged reputation
- disparagedCriticized with contempt
- traducedMaliciously misrepresented someone's character
besmirched · tarnished · smeared · maligned · defamed · aspersed · blackened · stigmatized
Printed defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- tortActionable civil harm
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
plaintiff · defendant · litigation · testimony · evidence · perjury · falsehood · misrepresentation
Painful awareness of failure
- disgraceLoss of honor
- infamyExtreme public disgrace
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- ignominyState of dishonor
scandal · blemished · degraded · humiliated · discredited · reproached · disgraced · sullied
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- whispering campaignSecretive spread of damaging rumors
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
innuendo · scandal · mudslinging · poison pen · tongues wagging · spread rumors · character assassination · smear campaign
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- cruelWillfully causing suffering
hateful · venomous · hostile · insidious · deliberate · calculated · intentional · mean-spirited
libeled
Defamed in writing
- vilifiedSpoke evil of
- denigratedCriticized unfairly, damaged reputation
- disparagedCriticized with contempt
traduced · besmirched · tarnished · smeared · maligned · defamed · aspersed · blackened · stigmatized · impugned
libel
Printed defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- tortActionable civil harm
lawsuit · plaintiff · defendant · litigation · testimony · evidence · perjury · falsehood · misrepresentation · damages
shame
Painful awareness of failure
ignominy · scandal · blemished · degraded · humiliated · discredited · reproached · disgraced · sullied · dishonored
rumormongering
Habitual spreading of unverified talk
- whispering campaignSecretive spread of damaging rumors
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
hearsay · innuendo · scandal · mudslinging · poison pen · tongues wagging · spread rumors · character assassination · smear campaign · idle talk
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
cruel · hateful · venomous · hostile · insidious · deliberate · calculated · intentional · mean-spirited · vicious
slanderedpraised
Expressed approval of
lauded · acclaimed · extolled · complimented · honored
slanderedvindicated
Cleared of accusation
defended · exonerated · cleared · justified · rehabilitated
- slander lawsLegal prohibitions on harmful falsehoods
slander, slanderous, slanders, slandering, slanderer, slanderously