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Defamation: meaning, definitions and examples

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defamation

 

[ ˌdefəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal term

Defamation is the act of damaging the reputation of a person or group by making false statements. It can be done through spoken words (slander) or written words (libel). Defamation can harm a person's reputation, leading to loss of business, social standing, or mental distress.

Synonyms

character assassination, libel, slander

Examples of usage

  • He was sued for defamation after spreading false rumors about his coworker.
  • The company faced a defamation lawsuit for falsely accusing their competitor of unethical practices.

Translations

Translations of the word "defamation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 difamação

🇮🇳 मानहानि

🇩🇪 Verleumdung

🇮🇩 fitnah

🇺🇦 наклеп

🇵🇱 zniesławienie

🇯🇵 名誉毀損 (めいよきそん)

🇫🇷 diffamation

🇪🇸 difamación

🇹🇷 iftira

🇰🇷 명예훼손 (myeongye hoeson)

🇸🇦 تشهير

🇨🇿 pomluva

🇸🇰 ohováranie

🇨🇳 诽谤 (fěibàng)

🇸🇮 obrekovanje

🇮🇸 meiðyrði

🇰🇿 жала

🇬🇪 ძალადობა

🇦🇿 böhtan

🇲🇽 difamación

Etymology

The term defamation originated from the Latin word 'diffamatio', which means 'the act of spreading lies or damaging someone's reputation'. Throughout history, defamation has been a common legal issue, with various cultures and societies developing laws to protect individuals from false statements. In modern times, defamation laws have evolved to encompass both traditional media and online platforms, reflecting the importance of reputation in the digital age.

See also: defamatory.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,087, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.