Libelled: meaning, definitions and examples

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libelled

 

[ ˈlɪb.əld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal term

Libelled refers to the act of publishing a false statement about someone that damages their reputation, typically in written form. This term is often used in legal contexts when discussing defamation cases. The term 'libel' denotes a specific type of defamation, as opposed to 'slander', which refers to spoken defamation.

Synonyms

defamed, maligned, slandered, vilified

Examples of usage

  • The newspaper libelled the celebrity in its latest article.
  • He accused the journalist of libelling him in her report.
  • The company filed a lawsuit after being libelled in a blog post.
  • She was libelled by a former friend, leading to legal action.
  • They were libelled in an online forum, prompting a criminal investigation.

Translations

Translations of the word "libelled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 difamado

🇮🇳 मानहानि

🇩🇪 verleumdet

🇮🇩 dihujat

🇺🇦 наклеплений

🇵🇱 zniesławiony

🇯🇵 中傷された

🇫🇷 diffamé

🇪🇸 difamado

🇹🇷 karalanmış

🇰🇷 비방당한

🇸🇦 مُشَتَّم

🇨🇿 urážlivý

🇸🇰 ohovorený

🇨🇳 被诽谤的

🇸🇮 obrekljan

🇮🇸 dómsmálar

🇰🇿 жала жабу

🇬🇪 გადატვირთული

🇦🇿 təhqir olunmuş

🇲🇽 difamado

Word origin

The term 'libelled' comes from the noun 'libel', which is derived from the Latin word 'libellus', meaning 'a little book or document'. The earliest usages can be traced back to the late Middle English period, indicating a written statement that could cause harm to someone's reputation. Over time, as the legal system developed, the definition became more formalized, particularly in the context of defamation law. By the 18th century, libel laws began to take shape in various jurisdictions, recognizing that written statements could have damaging effects and thus warrant legal ramifications. This history reflects the evolution of the understanding of written words and their power in society.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,002 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.