libeler
Typically used in legal or formal contexts to describe someone who publishes false and damaging statements about another person in written form.
- The journalist was labeled as a libeler after publishing false accusations against the politician
defame
Used in both formal and informal situations to describe making false and harmful statements about someone, regardless of the medium. Usually general in nature.
- She sued him for trying to defame her character through malicious gossip
slander
Used in both legal and informal contexts to describe false verbal statements that harm someone's reputation. This term is specific to spoken words.
- He was accused of slander after spreading false rumors about his colleague at the office
smear
Often used in informal contexts to describe an attempt to harm someone's reputation, usually through a campaign of malicious rumors or false statements. It implies deliberate and often malicious intent.
- The politician's opponents launched a smear campaign to ruin his reputation before the election