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Libel Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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libel

[ˈlaɪbəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

Synonyms

calumny, defamation, slander.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
libel

Use in situations where false and damaging statements are made in written or published form, including online content.

  • The journalist was sued for libel after publishing false information about the celebrity.
  • The blogger's post was considered libelous because it contained untrue accusations.
defamation

Use as a general term for any false statement that harms someone's reputation, whether written or spoken.

  • She filed a defamation lawsuit against the company for spreading false rumors about her work.
  • Defamation can have severe consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator.
slander

Use in situations where false and damaging statements are spoken rather than written.

  • He accused his neighbor of slander for spreading false tales about him around the community.
  • The company's reputation was harmed due to public slander by a former employee.
calumny

Use in formal situations to describe false and malicious statements meant to harm someone's reputation.

  • He became a victim of calumny when his competitor spread lies to damage his career.
  • The calumny spread about her was eventually disproven in court.

Examples of usage

  • The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing false information about the politician.
  • The celebrity won a libel case against the magazine that printed lies about him.
Context #2 | Verb

legal term

To make a false and damaging statement about someone.

Synonyms

defame, slander, smear.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
libel

Used when talking about false written statements that harm someone's reputation.

  • The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing unfair accusations
  • She claimed that the article contained libelous statements about her
defame

General term for making false statements that damage someone's reputation, can be used for both written and spoken words.

  • The celebrity argued that the interview was an attempt to defame her
  • He was accused of defaming a local business on social media
slander

Specifically refers to false spoken statements that hurt someone's reputation.

  • The politician sued his opponent for slander after the false statements made during the debate
  • She felt deeply hurt by the slanderous gossip spreading around the office
smear

Used when describing a deliberate attempt to tarnish someone's reputation, often with misleading or false information. It often has a more casual or conversational tone.

  • He accused his rivals of trying to smear him with baseless accusations
  • The campaign was full of smears and dirty tactics

Examples of usage

  • The company was accused of libeling its competitors in the advertisement.
  • She threatened to sue him if he continued to libel her on social media.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Law

  • Libel is a civil offense, meaning victims can seek compensation through the courts for damages done to their reputation.
  • In many countries, the burden of proof lies with the person accused of libel to prove their statement was true.
  • Public figures often face a higher threshold for proving libel, known as 'actual malice', due to the principle of free speech.

Media

  • The rise of the internet has led to new libel cases involving social media posts and online articles.
  • High-profile libel cases, like the one involving British tabloids and celebrities, have highlighted issues around media freedom and privacy.
  • Many journalists are trained in understanding libel laws to avoid publishing potentially damaging information without sufficient evidence.

Psychology

  • False statements about a person can lead to emotional distress, affecting their self-esteem and mental health.
  • Being a victim of libel can result in long-lasting reputational damage that affects personal and professional relationships.
  • Research shows that negative stories about individuals often spread faster and are more memorable than positive ones.

Origin of 'libel'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'libellus', meaning 'little book' or 'written document'.
  • In medieval times, false writings could lead to serious punishment, which laid the groundwork for modern laws against slander and libel.
  • The English legal system has distinguished between libel (written) and slander (spoken) since the early 1600s.

The word 'libel' originated from the Latin word 'libellus', meaning 'little book' or 'written statement'. In the legal context, libel has been a recognized offense for centuries, with early English common law cases establishing the principles of defamation. The evolution of libel laws has been shaped by landmark court cases and legislative reforms aimed at balancing freedom of speech with protection against false and damaging statements.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,791 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.