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Defamatory Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defamatory

[dษชหˆfรฆmษ™t(ษ™)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

legal

Harmful and false statements about someone, damaging their reputation or character.

Synonyms

calumnious, libelous, slanderous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
defamatory

Typically used to describe statements or actions that harm someone's reputation. It's often used in legal contexts where someone is being accused of spreading false information about another person.

  • The newspaper was sued for publishing a defamatory article about the politician.
  • She filed a complaint saying that her coworker's comments were defamatory.
slanderous

Refers to spoken statements that unjustly harm someone's reputation. Often used when discussing verbal communications, such as conversations or speeches.

  • The employee was dismissed for making slanderous comments about his manager.
  • Her slanderous accusations were quickly debunked by the evidence.
libelous

Specifically refers to written or published statements that unjustly harm someone's reputation. Commonly used in legal situations involving print media, online posts, or other written formats.

  • She sued the magazine for publishing libelous claims about her personal life.
  • The blogger was warned that his libelous posts could lead to legal consequences.
calumnious

An unusually formal word referring to false and malicious statements intended to damage someone's reputation. Often used in literary or very formal writing.

  • His calumnious remarks about his rival were eventually proven to be unfounded.
  • The novel portrayed the character as a victim of calumnious gossip.

Examples of usage

  • The article contained defamatory remarks about the politician.
  • She filed a lawsuit against the company for publishing defamatory content about her.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Tending to harm someone's reputation by making false statements.

Synonyms

damaging, hurtful, malicious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
defamatory

Used in legal or formal contexts to describe statements or materials that harm someone's reputation.

  • The newspaper was sued for publishing defamatory articles about the politician.
  • He faced charges for making defamatory remarks during the interview.
damaging

General usage to describe something that causes harm or has negative effects; can be used in both physical and non-physical contexts.

  • The storm had a damaging impact on the coastal town.
  • Her comments were damaging to his career.
hurtful

Used in personal and emotional contexts to describe words or actions that cause emotional pain.

  • What she said was really hurtful and made me upset.
  • He apologized for his hurtful comments.
malicious

Used to describe actions or behavior intended to harm others, often implying intent and cruelty.

  • There was a malicious rumor circulating about her at work.
  • The email contained a malicious virus designed to steal personal information.

Examples of usage

  • The author was accused of writing defamatory comments about his ex-colleague.
  • It is important to avoid making defamatory remarks about others.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • Defamation is divided into two types: slander (spoken) and libel (written). Both are wrongful acts of damaging someoneโ€™s credibility.
  • To win a defamation case, the person harmed must prove that the statement was false, damaging, and made without consent.
  • In many countries, public figures have a higher burden to prove defamation, given their prominence and the role of public discourse.

Cultural Impact

  • The concept of defamation plays a significant role in media, especially with the rise of social media, where false statements can spread rapidly.
  • Various high-profile defamation lawsuits have highlighted the tension between freedom of speech and protection against false statements.

Psychology

  • Being defamed can lead to significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and diminished self-esteem.
  • Research indicates that wrongful accusations can have long-lasting effects on an individual's personal and professional life.

Literature

  • Many literary works explore themes of reputation and betrayal, such as Shakespeare's plays which often include characters facing defamation.
  • In classic literature, characters who suffer from defamatory actions often experience a journey of redemption or struggle for honor.

Origin of 'defamatory'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'defamatory' traces back to the Latin word 'defamare', which means 'to damage one's reputation'.
  • It combines 'de-' (down) and 'fama' (fame), literally meaning to bring down someone's fame.

The word 'defamatory' originates from the Latin word 'diffamatorius', which means 'slanderous'. The concept of defamation has been present in legal systems for centuries, with the aim of protecting individuals from false and harmful statements that can damage their reputation. In modern times, the term 'defamatory' is commonly used in legal contexts to describe statements that can harm someone's character or reputation.

See also: defamation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,759, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.